'rpmm 


BT  75  .M466 

Menno  Simons,  1A96-1561. 
A  foundation  and  plain 
instruction  of  the  saving 


V 


••-..  -  ^  %.-.-, 


iz%> 


•»-•  •■*•''.». 


■^ 


,j 


f  "■<-:* 


'--m^^^^- 


f/4'/*. 


"^-m  m^  •'j^   '^^^^Tt^^  ' 


A 

FOUNDATION 
PLAIN    INSTRUCTION 

OP  THE 

BRIEFLY  COMPILED  PROM  THE  WORD  OP  GOD. 

TRANSLATED  FROM  THE  DUTCH  LANGUAGE  INTO  THE  GERMAN, 

TOGETHER  WITH  OTHER 

INSTRUCTIVE  TREATISES,  WRITTEN  BfTHE  AUTHOR  OF  THIS  "FOUNDA- 
TION," WHICH  WERE  FORMERLY  PUBLISHED  SEPARATELY,  BUT 
HERE  APPENDED,  AND  THE  AVHOLB    ARRANGED  AS  A 

COMMON  MANUAL. 

BY   MENNO   SIMON. 

TO   WHICH  AN  INDEX  IS  ADDED,  IN  ORDER   THAT  ALL   THE 

POINTS,    ARTICLES,    PASSAGES,    AND    ADMONITIONS 

HEREIN  CONTAINED,  MAY  BE  READILY  FOUND. 


For  other  foundation  can  no  man  lay  than  that  is  laid,  which  is  Jesus 
Christ.— 1  Cor.  iii.  11. 


PRINTED  IN  EUROPE,  A.  D.  15G5. 

TRANSLATED  INTO  THE  ENGLISH  BY  I.  DANIEL  RUPP, 
Author  of  "Der  Maertyr  Geschichte,"  &c.,  &c. 


LANCASTER,    PA.: 

PUBLISHED   BY   J.    E.    BARR  &   CO. 

1869. 


PPaXTED  BY  PEARSOL  &   GEIST,  LANCASTER,  PA. 


JOHN  HEEB'S  PEEFACE. 


Belovkd  Readier:  \Vc  live  in  a  period  of  time  in  Avhich  many 
writings  are  circulated  among  tlie  people,  whicb  generally  are  more 
injurious  than  beneficial,  since  the  greater  part  contain  not  the  pure 
and  uncorrupted  truth  of  the  gospel,  although  it  is  the  only  rule,  in 
accordance  with  which  everything  should  be  regulated,  written  and 
taught,  as  St.  Paul  testifies  :  Though  we,  or  an  angel  from  heaven, 
preach  any  other  gospel  unto  you  than  that  which  we  have  preached 
unto  you,  let  him  be  accursed.  (Gal.  1.)  If  its  directions  were  fol- 
lowed, there  would  not  be  so  many  scorners  ot  the  Christian  reli- 
gion; for,  by  the  pious,  virtuous,  and  godly  life  of  its  professorsi 
they  would  be  ^convinced  that  something  true  and  substantial  is  in 
its  composition ;  as  Paul  teaches,  that  the  gospel  of  Christ  is  the 
power  of  God  unto  salvation,  to  every  one  that  believeth.  (Rom.  1.) 
Yea,  it  is  so  powerful  an  opei'ator  in  all  those  who  truly  believe,  that 
their  hard  hearts  become  softened,  renewed,  and  enlivened,  so  that, 
as  they  were  formex'ly  carnally  minded,  so  they  have  now  become 
spiritual  and  heavenly-minded;  and  as  they  have  been  proud,  impe- 
rious, envious,  and  implacable  against  those  who  may  have  ag- 
grieved them,  so  they  are  now  humble,  mild,  condescending,  piatient, 
peaceable,  and  forgiving  towards  their  opponents,  according  to  the 
example  of  their  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  and  the  instruc- 
tions of  his  word.  But  this  salutary  influence  is  to  be  found  and  per- 
ceived in  so  small  a  degree  ainong  the  present  Christians,  that  the 
reverse  is  much  more  in  vogus,  from  which  circumstance  it,  conse'. 
quently,  arises  that  atheism,  the  rejection  of  all  revealed  religion, 
advances  with  such  rapid  strides.  For,  say  its  advocates,  were  the  ' 
professors  of  Christianity  firm  believers  in  the  truth  of  sci-ipture, 
they  would  conduct  their  lives  according  to  its  tenor,  as  Christ  and 
his  apostles  have  inculcated;  but  since  this  conformity  is  but  seldom 
evbaced,  they  conclude  it  to  be  the  work  of  man,  and  a  fabric  of  impos- 
ture, and  exclaim :  Our  bonds  are  in  twain  and  we  are  free;  we  will 
none  of  iis  go  without  his  part  of  our  voluptuousness,  for  this  is  our 
portion,  &c.  Such  things  do  they  ima;?ine,  and  are  deceived  :  for 
their  own  wickedness  hath  blinded  them,  so  that  the  mysteries  of  ' 
God  they  know  not ;  neither  hope  they  for  the  wages  of  righteous- 
ness, nor  discern  a  reward  for  blameless  souls.  (Wisd.  2.)  Oh!  how 
deplorable  that  so  many  profess  Christ  with  the  lips,  but  yet  by 
their  works  deny  both  him  and  his  doctrine,  whence,  in  the  eyes  of 
God,  they  are  not  better  than  the  manifest  scorner  of  his  word* 
although  comforting  themselves,  and  being  comforted  by  their  un- 


4  JOHN  HERR^S  PREFACE. 

regenerated  preaebers  with  the  belief  that  they  are  Christians,  be- 
cause they  have  an  outward  profession. 

The  dark  vapors  of  false  and  perverted  doctrine  have  so  much 
obscured  the  clear  light  of  the  gospel  that  oftime^  sincere  souls 
scarcely  know  how  to  distinguish  between  right  and  wrong.  For 
this  reason,  I  and  my  brethren,  out  of  love  to  mankind,  and  particu- 
larly to  serious  minds, have  been  induced  to  publish,  iu  ttte  English 
language,  in  which  they  never  before  appeared,  the  works  of  the 
zealous  and  heaven-devoted  Menno  Simon.  And  since  I  sincerely 
believe,  and  from  the  word  of  God  acknowledge,  that  therein  is 
contained  the  pure  and  unadulterated  truth,  according  to  the  tes- 
timony of  the  Holy  Scriptures ;  and  avi  I  myself,  by  the  grace  of 
God,  have  derived  much  benefit  from  the  reading  of  this  book,  it  is 
my  hope  that  to  those  who,  in  these  confused  times,  when  unbelief, 
unlversalism,  the  despising  of  God  and  his  word,  and  the  denial  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  some  by  their  lips  and  others  by  their  con- 
duct, Is  so  extensively  prevalent,  impartially  read  and  compare  it 
with  the  word  of  God,  it  may  be  serviceable  for  their  illumination 
and  the  advancement  of  their  salvation.  Yea,  dear  reader,  in  the 
writings  of  this  zealous  and  godly  man,  you  will  find  how  sincerely 
and  fearlessly  he  exhibited  to  every  one  the  powerful  and  undeflled 
truth.  He  feared  neither  emperor  nor  king,  neither  high  nor  low , 
neither  pope  nor  monks,  neither  life  nor  death.  He  sought  the  glory 
of  God,  and  he  exerted  himself  to  extricate  poor  mankind  from  the 
darkness  of  popery  and  deliver  them  from  all  false  doctrine.  In 
zeal  for  God,  and  his  rightful  worship,  he  was  not  inferior  to  Josiah 
king  of  Judah.  (i  Kings,  23.)  With  the  sword  of  the  spirit,  which  is 
the  word  of  God,  (Eph.  6,)  he  went  forth,  breaking  down  the  strange 
altars,  and  overthrowing  the  inventions  of  papacy  with  which  the 
ignorant  people  from  time  to  time  were  burdened;  aud  the  errors 
which  Luther  and  other  reformers  overlooked  he  laid  aside,  namelj' 
the  human  instituted  baptism  of  infants,  with  other  erroneous 
usages.  Thus  ho  agaia  introduced  and  built  up  the  true  and  apos- 
tolic service  of  God,  so  that  a  Urge  people,  as  a  pure  and  chaste 
virgin,  were  led  to  Christ,  and  many  erring  sheep  were  gathered 
together,  which  formerly  were  compelled  to  drink  the  impure  water 
of  false  doctrine,  which  their  shepherds  defiled ;  and  thus  wei-e 
founded  many  communities,  in  many  places  in  Friesland,  Holland, 
Groningen,  East  Friesland,  Brabant,  and  on  the  border  of  the  Baltic 
Sea,  and  likewise  in  Germany,  in  the  Palatinate, in  Alsace,  Bavaria, 
Suabia,  Switzerland,  Austria,  Moravia,  &c.  The  word  of  the  Lord 
spread  itself  by  his  instrumentality,  so  powerfully,  in  defiance  of 
all  the  tyranny  and  persecution  of  priests  and  governments,  that  it 
was  evidently  seen  how  the  strong  hand  of  God,  whom  he  glorified, 
rescued  him  from  the  power  of  his  enemies.  For  by  a  bloody  decree 
issued  in  1543,  he  was  declared  an  outlaw,  and  a  sum  of  money  was 
offered  for  his  body,  at  the  same  time  that  it  was  forbidden  under 
pain  of  death  to  harbor  him.  Even  criminals  and  murder ei-s,  as  his- 
torians show,  were  promised  the  emperor's  pardon,  in  case  they 
would  deliver  him  into  prison ;  so  that  he  was  continually  in 
danger  of  hia  life.  But  he  was  not  discouraged;  on  the  con- 
trary, he  untiringly  prosecuted  the  labors  which  Qod  Imposed 


JOHN  herb's  preface.  S 

upon  him.  The  hand  of  the  Lord  conducted  hlra,  until,  ^t  length, 
after  long  combatting,  and  great  victory,  he  terminated  his  career 
at  Fresenburg,  and  died  the  death  of  the  blessed,  January  the 
3l8t,  in  the  year  1561,  at  the  age  of  sixty-six  years.  Beloved 
reader,  in  our  author's  writings  you  will  find,  If  impartial,  with 
what  simplicity  and  energy  he  proclaimed  the  gospel,  in  Its  correct 
sense  and  scope;  how  he  defended  Christ  the  crucitted,  and  his 
saving  doctrine,  against  false  principles  and  perverted  teachers, 
with  whom  he  dealt  sliarply  and  keenly,  and  represented  to  them 
the  dreadful  judgments  of  God  with  which  the  scriptures  threaten 
all  deluding  ministers,  and  which  he  well  perceived  would  be  their 
lot  if  they  were  not  converted.  Indeed,  he  might  well  say  with  the 
npoptle,  he  knew  none  according  to  the  flesh,  "he  reproved,  threat- 
ened and  exhorted,"  as  Paul  teaches,  without  respect  to  persons; 
he  sought  not  good  M'illor  honor  among  men,  but  instead  his  real 
in  the  Lord's  house  was  so  strong  and  ardent  that  every  thing  be- 
sides was  deemed  of  no  importance;  he  showed  every  one  that  there 
was  no  other  way  to  happiness,  than  through  self-knowledge  aihd 
true  self-denial  and  the  acceptation  of  Christ  through  faith,  to- 
gether  with  his  righteousness,  which  he  merited  for  us,  out  of  pure 
love,  grace  and  mercy  by  his  blood  and  death.  He  further  taught, 
that  whosoever  believes  this,  and  experiences  this  love  and  ele- 
vated grace,  in  his  soul,  will,  through  them  be  induced  to  imitate 
Christ  in  everything,  and  to  place  himself  with  chDdllke  obedience 
under  the  guidance  of  his  doctrine  and  commandments;  but  those, 
on  the  contrary,  who  are  not  obedient  to  him  in  all  that  he  taught, 
and  follow  not  daily  after  him,  plainly  evince,  that  they,  likewise, 
are  aot  partakers  with  him— with  his  cross  and  death,  and  have  not 
In  possession  that  righteousness  which  Is  acceptable  to  God,  or  if 
they  had  received  a  portion,  "  they  have  again  lost  It  by  deviating 
from  the  holy  commandment."  Hence,  he  never  flattered  su6h 
with  hopes  of  peace,  nor  comforted  them  with  soft  pillows;  but, 
with  the  force  of  scripture,  spread  before  thorn  tlie  eternal  doom 
and  destruction  of  their  miserable  souls,  so  that  they  might,  possi- 
bly, reflect  and  be  converted  ere  it  would  be  too  late. 

Further,  it  will  easily  be  perceived  by  all  those  into  whoso  hands 
this  book  may  tall,  and  who  will  read  It  with  consideration,  that 
the  doctrine  which  I  profess  and  teach,  and  that  of  this  godly  re- 
former, entirely  agree.  He  acknowledges  Christ  as  the  only  foun- 
dation of  our  salvation;  so  likewise  do  I.  He  confesses  that  he 
who  has  thus  found  Christ  will  follow  him  in  all  that  he  has  com- 
manded, (Matt.  28)  will  be  of  the  same  mind  as  he  was,  (Philip  2: 1) 
he  will  love  his  enemies,  do  good  to  those  that  hate  him,  overcoming 
evil  with  good,  and  thus  heap  coals  of  Are  on  their  heads.  (Matt.  1; 
Rom.  12.)  The  same  do  I  inculcate,  as  my  writings  plainly  show. 
He  teaches  that  In  the  kingdom  of  Cbrlst,  and  In  his  church,  no 
other  sword  Is  used  than  the  sword  of  the  Spirit,  and  no  other  reg- 
ulation than  the  regulation  of  Christ  and  his  apostles,  and  that  this 
church  cannot  be  kept  in  a  state  of  purity,  wlthoiit  bringing  to 
l)ear,  upon  all  ungodly  scorners  and  perverse  and  apostate  mera- 
bers,  all  apostolic  excommunication;  and  that  then  It  is  necessary 
to  avoid  the  InterconrBe,  without  respect  to  persons  with  them,  80 


6  JOHN  herb's  preface. 

as  to  induce  a  feeling  of  shame  ancl  self-reproach;  all  of  which  he 
clearly  points  out  in  this  work,  and  which  I  also  confess.  Menno 
exhorted  all  believers,  Avith  scripture  testimony,  to  abjure  all  false 
doctrine,  to  refrain  from  hearing  corrupt  teachers,  to  shun  them, 
and  separate  themselves  from  them,  as  Christ's  doctrine  sets  forth, 
(Matt.  7;  Jer.  23: 16;  John  10:  Rom.  16:  17,  18;  1  Tim.  6:  1;  2  Tim.  3:  5; 
Tit.  3: 10;  Rev.  2:  2.)  This  I  also  teach,  and  am  fully  persuaded,  that 
where  these  instructions  of  Christ  and  his  apostles  are  not  heeded, 
but  the  faithful  after  being  enlightened,  and  having  perceived  the 
great  treachery  of  the  faithless  sheplierds,  yet,  to  please  them,  lis- 
ten to  them,  there  will  not  long  be  a  communion  in  spirit,  nor  a 
unity  of  mind.  For  the  leaven  of  misleading  principles  will  speed- 
ily insinuate  itself,  and  confuse  their  minds;  so  that  one  will  believe 
one  thing,  and  another  something  different;  as  the  melancholy 
evidence  of  experience  indicates  amongst  all  sects.  O  how  did  the 
churches,  in  our  author's  time,  who  were  taxight  and  regenerated 
out  of  the  word  of  God,  and  gathered  from  all  sects  by  him  unto 
one  flock,  so  faithfully  adhere  to  the  word  of  God  in  this  matter  ! 
They  sacrificed  fortune,  body  and  life,  in  preference  to  going  into 
meeting  where  the  word  of  God  was  not  proclaimed  in  its  purity; 
for  which  reason,  also,  many  thousands  had  to  suffer  the  most 
dreadful  torture,  or  were  forced  to  go  into  miserable  banish- 
ment. 

These  people  were,  by  their  persecutors,  called  Ana-baptists,  be- 
cause they  considered  no  baptism  apostolic,  except  its  reception 
was  grounded  upon  true  faitb,  according  to  the  injunctions  of 
Christ  and  his  apostles.  A  fter wards,  they  were  named  after  Menno, 
as  being  his  fellow  believers,  Mennonites,  which  name  they  have 
ever  since  borne  to  the  present  time;  but  how  far  they  have  devi- 
ated, from  time  to  time,  from  the  doctrine  of  this  zealous  and 
godly  refonner,  their  fruits  plainly  exhibit  to  every  one. 

It  is,  indeed,  mournful  to  contemplate  that  so  great  has  been  their 
degeneracy  as  to  make  numbers,  teachers  not  excepted,  unwilling 
to  assist  in  giving  these  his  Avorksto  the  world;  but,  at  the  same 
time,  I  am  in  hopes  that  a  great  proportion  are  innocent  in  this 
respect,  and  such  are  exempted  from  the  charge;  and  I  have  rea- 
son to  believe  that  many  are  kept  so  much  in  darkness,  that  they 
are  unacquainted  with  the  writings  of  Menno,  and  imagine  that 
they  are  in  entire  agreement  with  Avliat  he  taught,  and  conse- 
quently they  infer  that  we  have,  as  is  frequently  said,  originated 
something  new.  But  I  have  the  pleasing  confidence  that  when 
they  impartially  read  this  work,  which  now  makes  its  appearance 
both  in  English  and  German,  and  properly  contemplate  it  in  con- 
junction Avith  Scripture,  and  compare  it  Avithmy  Avritings,  theyAvill 
find  that  we  insist  on  the  same  principles,  and  profess  the  same 
foundation  of  faith  according  to  scripture.  I  must  confess,  how- 
ever, that  I  feel  myself  far  behind  him,  and,  in  my  OAvn  eyes,  can- 
not claim  equality  Avith  him,  since,  although  exi^osed  to  the  most 
terrifying  persecutions,  he,  without  the  least  concession,  Indefati- 
gably  pursued  his  Aoeation.  This  heaA-y  trial  I  have  never  yet 
experienced,  notwithstanding  which  I  feel  myself  armed  with  the 
resolution,  if  God  would  allow  such  to  be  the  case,  to  remain,  with 


JOHN  herr's  preface.  7 

his  help,  steadfast  to  the  end:  and  this,  also,  must  be  the  mind  of 
all  Christians.    (1  Pet,  4:1.) 

If  our  author,  occasionally,  uses  eevere  exprespions  agaiiistthe  un- 
righteousness of  the  world,  the  misleadersof  the  people, and blood- 
thirsty  priests  and  goyernments,  it  is  no  more  than  what  Christ,  the 
instructor  of  all,  himself  did,  (Matt.  23;  Luke  11;)  likeAvisethe  apos- 
tles: (Acls  8:  20—23;  chap.  13,  10;  Rom.  1;  Gal.  1;  2  Pet.  2;  James  1; 
2  John  1;  Rev.  21:8;  Rev. 22: 15,  &c.)  So  also  did  the  prophets,  and 
all  faithful  messengers  of  God,  continually  represent  his  threaten- 
ing judgment  to  the  pervei-se  and  unregcnerated,  whence,  they, 
likewise,  were  Incessantly  more  or  less  hated  and  persecuted  by 
the  world. 

Oh  !  all  ye,  who  profess  to  be  peaceable  Christians,  read  this  book 
carefully,  in  which  you  can  perceive,  with  the  direction  of  scrip 
tures,  what  properly  constitutes  a  true  and  pacific  Christian,  and- 
conduct  your  lives  accordingly,  showing,  in  truth,  that  you  are 
lovers  of  peace.  Take  upon  you  the  disposition  of  the  dove,  and 
the  innocence  of  the  lamb,  and  evidence  that  you  are  branches  in 
the  vine  Jesus,  and  made  partakers  of  his  divine  nature.  Let  every 
one  read  for  himself:  for  all  scripture  given  by  inspiration  of  God, 
is  profitable  for  doctrine,  for  reproof,  for  correction,  for  instruction 
in  righteousness ;  that  the  man  of  God  may  be  perfect,  thoroughly 
furnished  unto  all  good  works.    (2  Tim.  3: 16, 17.) 

Let  us  not  any  longer,  after  the  fashion  of  our  indolent  flesh,  say: 
Yet  a  little  sleep,  a  little  folding  of  the  hands  to  sleep,  &c.  (Prov.  24: 
31)  for  the  messenger  is  before  our  door,  calling  upon  us  to  give  an 
account  of  our  stewardship.  O  it  is  dreadful  to  fall  into  the  hands 
of  the  living  God !  he  is  a  consuming  fire  to  all  who  believe  not,  and 
whosoever  has  his  name  not  written  in  the  book  life,  will  be  cast 
into  the  lake  of  fire  and  brimstone,  which  is  the  second  death. 
Therefore,  awake  every  one,  and  be  converted  to  the  Lord,  learn  of 
Christ,  as  the  true  prophet  and  teacher,  accept  his  word  and  follow 
him,  as  Menno  clearly  inculcates,  and  your  soul  shall  triumph  over 
all  that  is  sin,  death,  devil  and  hell,  and  shall  reign  with  Christ 
forever  and  ever.  Amen. 

But  should  you  despise,  for  unjust  reasons,  the  doctrine  herein  se^ 
forth,  take  heed  that  the  judgments  of  God  fall  not  the  more  heavily 
upon  you ;  for  our  author  had,  while  yet  living,  many  enemies  and 
persecutors  on  accoimt  of  what  he  taught,  and  so,  also,  did  Christ 
and  his  apostles  suflFer  for  truth's  sake.  Yea,  my  God,  work  thou, 
with  thy  grace,  in  the  hearts  of  those  -vvho  read  this  book,  give  them 
enlightened  eyes  and  open  understandings  to  perceive  thy  holy 
will,  and  prepare  them  to  do  in  every  thing  as  is  pleasing  in  thy  sight, 
in  these  perverted  and  confused  times,  for  the  glory  and  honor  of 
thy  ever  praised  name,  Amen. 

JOHN  HERR, 
Near  Strasburg,  Lancaster  Co,  Pa. 

March  25th,  1835. 


TO  THE  KEADEE. 


Fjous,  beloved  reader  :  Since  I  perceive  that  our  work,  callecl 
"THii  Fundament  op  Christian  Doctrine,"  which  I  published  a 
few  years  ago,  has  been  productive  of  much  good,  through  the 
grace  of  God,  to  whom  be  eternal  praise  and  thanks;  and  God's  holy 
word,  which  was  obscured  for  such  a  long  time,  has  been  again  a 
little  explained,  through  our  limited  talents  ;  and  many  well  dis- 
posed children  requested  and  entreated  me  to  revise  and  correct 
such  parts  as  were  obscured  through  the  negligence  of  the  printer, 
and  which  deprived  the  reader  of  the  sense;  I  was  prevailed  on, 
and  did  so.  In  some  places  I  made  additions  ;  explained  the  obscure 
parts,  and  corrected  those  that  were  defective,  and  omitted  all  re- 
dundancies ;  the  style,  language  and  form  I  improved,  in  order  to 
be  better  suited  to  aid  the  reader  to  make  known  and  acceptable 
the  rejected  truth. 

Not,  my  reader,  that  I  altered  the  first  ground  and  contents  ;  by 
no  means!  I  have  not  altered,  but  as  appears  to  me,  improved  its 
form,  and  confirmed  it  with  more  power  and  plainness.  Those  who 
fear  God  may  judge.  The  former,  as  well  as  this,  is  God's  word; 
and  all  what  the  first  teaches,  this  teaches  also.  May  the  almighty, 
merciful  Father  grant  his  grace  to  accompany  our  little  work,  that 
it  may  produce  much  fruit  in  many  thousands.    Amen. 

MENNO  SIMON. 


PREFACE.- 


To  those  in  authority  and  all  others,  of  whatever  condition,  Menno 
Simon  wishes  them  the  illumination  of  the  Spirit,  and  thepure  knowledge 
of  the  kingdom  of  God,  of  God  our  heavenly  Father,  and  his  son  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord,  who  has  loved  us  and  washed  us  from  our  sins  with  his 
blood.  To  him  be  praise,  honor,  glory,  and  thanksgiving  to  eternity, 
Amen. 

Dear  Sirs,  Friends  and  Brethren:  Since  we  teach  from  the  scrip- 
tures, and  from  experience  find  that  the  prediction  of  the  prophets, 
Christ  and  the  apostles.  Is  in  full  power  concerning  oppression, 
misery,  want,  persecution,  danger,  anxiety  and  false-doctrine,  in 
this  last  time,  (Matt.  24;  Mark  13;  Luke  21;  1  Tim.  4;  2  Tim.  3; 
2  Pet.  2;  Jude  1,)  and  this  so  powerfully,  that  the  gracious  Father 
must  shorten  these  days,  otherwise  none  will  be  saved.  Therefore, 
we  poor  miserable  men  entreat  and  admonish  every  one,  and  that 
through  the  mercy  of  the  Lord,  that  he  would  for  once  candidly 
read  our  ground  and  belief,  lay  it  well  to  heart  and  understand  it, 
that  you  might  know  what  kind  of  doctrine  we  inculcate  and  what 
faith  we  maintain,  what  kind  of  life  we  lead,  and  how  we  are  dis. 
posed,  on  account  of  which  we  have  to  suffer  so  much— must  en- 
dure imprisonment,  exile,  be  robbed,  derided,  defamed  and  slain 
as  innocent  sheep.  In  order  that  you  may  cordially  weep  and  la- 
ment over  your  former  bloody  deeds  before  God,  and  be  more  cir- 
cumspect and  watchful  and  may  henceforth  be  found  to  be  more 
pious,  sincere;  yea,  God-fearing  magistracy,  (Exod.  18:  23;  Deut.  1: 
17;  2  Chron.  19;  Lev.  19)  not  to  mortify  and  destroy,  but  be  fathers 
and  guardians  of  all  miserable  and  wretched;  not  exterminate,  but 
defend  righteousness,  not  persecutors,  but  followers  of  Christ  and 
his  word.  Therefore,  anoint  your  eyes  with  eye  salve  that  you 
may  see  and  know  which  is  the  true  way  of  truth  and  life.  (Rev- 
3;  John  14.)  The  way  which  is  so  strait  and  is  found  of  few.  (Matt. 
7.)  The  truth,  which  is  known  t  o  none  but  to  those  who  are  taught 
of  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord,  illuminated  and  drawn  by  the  Father. 
(John  16;  Matt.  11. )  The  life  which  is  to  know  God  the  Father  as  the 
only  true  God,  and  Jesus  Christ  whom  he  sent,  (John  17,>  that  you 
may  see  him  whom  you  pierced  so  outrageously,  (Actsl)  and  that 
you  may  with  holy  Paul  fast  and  weep  and  humble  yourselves  be- 
*This  Preface  shows  to  whom  this  book  U  addressed,  and  was  written 
at  the  time  when  the  errors  of  Munster  yet  prevented. 


13  PKEFACE. 

fore  the  Lord,  (1  Cor.  15;  Gal.  1;  Epli.  3;  Joel  2.)  olotlie  yourselves  in 
sack-cloth;  rend  your  hearts  and  not  your  garments,  that  you  may 
find  grace  in  his  sight.  For  he  is  long-suffering,  gracious  and  mer- 
ciful, and  pardons  the  iniquity  of  all  who  sincerely  repent  and 
seek  his  grace,  (Mich.  7.)  Be  no  longer  like  Jeroboam,  Ahah  and 
Mannasseh,  but  like  David,  Hezekiah  and  Josiah;  that  you  need 
not  stand  confounded  in  the  great  dread  day  of  the  Lord  on  account 
of  your  entrusted  office— in  that  day  which  shall  burn  as  an  oven; 
and  all  who  have  used  violence  and  did  unrighteously  upon  the 
earth  shall  be  burnt  up  as  dry  straw  and  stubble.    (Mai.  4.) 

Therefore,  we  most  humbly  entreat  you  for  the  sake  of  Christ's 
merits,  that  you  would  thoroughly  ponder  and  reflect  upon  our 
faith,  doctrine  and  undertaking ;  and  not  esteem  us  to  be  worse 
than  you  do  thieves  and  murderers,  whom  you  do  not  condemn 
without  having  perfect  knowledge  of  their  case.  Our  doings  arc 
not  thievish,  nor  have  we  to  do  with  possessions,  but  with  God  and 
his  word,  our  bodies  and  sotils,  eternal  life  or  eternal  death.  There- 
fore do  not  look  upon  the  usages  and  customs  of  the  fathers,  nor 
upon  the  w^orldly  wise  and  the  learned,  for  it  is  hidden  from  them. 
(Matt.  11.)  There  were  always  those  who  from  the  beginning  thrust 
from  them  the  wisdom  of  God  through  their  own  wisdom  and  have 
trampled  it  under  foot.  For  the  wisdom  of  God,  which  we  teach,  is 
a  wisdom  Avhich  none  knows,  except  they  who  are  desirous  of  living 
and  walking  according  to  the  will  of  God,  (1  Cor.  1 ;  John  7.)  It  is 
wisdom  that  is  not  to  be  brought  from  afar  and  to  be  taught  in  col- 
leges. It  must  come  from  above  and  be  learned  through  the  Holy 
Ghost.  (Johns.)  As  Paul  says:  (Rom.  10.)  Say  not  m  thine  heart, 
Avho  shall  ascend  into  heaven  1  That  is  to  bring  Christ  do^vn  from 
above:  Or,  who  shall  descend  into  the  deepl  That  is  to  bring  up 
Christ  from  the  dead.  But  the  word  is  nigh  thee,  even  in  thy  mouth, 
and  in  thy  heart.  That  is,  the  word  of  faith  which  we  preach, 
namely :  That  if  thou  shalt  confess  with  thy  mouth  the  Lord  Jesus, 
and  shall  believe  in  thine  heart  that  God  hath  raised  him  from  the 
dead,  thou  shalt  be  saved ;  therefore,  look  to  God's  word,  to  the 
testimony  and  example  of  the  holy  prophets,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
and  his  apostles.  Let  these  be  your  doctors,  teachers,  and  not  the 
ambitious  feudal  preachers  of  this  world ;  then  you  Avill  soon  per- 
ceive whether  we  are  within  or  without  the  truth.  May  the 
almighty  and  etei-nal  God  give  you  such  hearts  and  minds.  To  him 
be  honor,  praise  and  gratitude,  the  kingdom,  power  and  majesty 
for  ever,  Amen. 

Seeing  then,  beloved,  that  Satan  can  transform  himself  into  an 
angel  of  light,  (2  Cor.  11,)  and  thus  sow  tai-es  among  the  Lord's 
wheat,  (Matt.  3,)  such  as  the  sword,  polj^gamy,  secular  kingdom, 
and  kings,  and  the  like  errors,  on  account  of  which  the  innocent 
have  to  suffer  much  ;  hence  we  are  urged  to  publish  this  our 
faith  and  doctrine;  and  we  desire  for  Jesus'  sake  that  we 
might  obtain  so  much  grace,  that  they  would  not  treat  and 
judge  us  except  according  to  the  word  of  God  as  is  rea- 
sonable and  just.  But  should  we  not  obtain  so  much  grace, 
we  have  to  commend  it  unto  the  Lord,  who  is  the  only  helper  of 


PEEFACE.  13 

every  one  in  need.  We  will,  nevertheless,  through  the  grace  of  God, 
abide  in  the  word  of  the  Lord  ;  and  comfort  ourselves  With  the 
scriptures,  which  say :  Thus  saith  the  Lord  that  created  thee, 
O  Jacob,  and  he  that  foi-med  thee,  O  Israel,  fear  not:  for  I  have  re- 
deemed thee,  I  have  called  thee  by  my  name;  thou  art  mine.  When 
thou  passest  through  the  waters,  I  will  be  with  thee;  and  through 
the  rivers,  they  shall  not  overflow  thee;  when  thou  walkest 
through  the  fire,  thou  shalt  not  be  burned;  neither  shall  the  flame 
kindle  upon  thee;  for  I  am  the  Lord  thy  God,  the  Holy  One  of  Israel, 
thy  Saviour.  (Isa.  43.)  Again:  Fear  ye  not  the  reproach  of  men, 
neither  be  ye  afraid  of  their  revilings;  for  the  moth  shall  eat  them 
up  like  a  gai-ment  and  the  worms  shall  eat  them  like  wool— I,  even 
I,  am  lie  that  comforteth  thee;  who  art  thou  that  shouldst  be 
afraid  of  a  man  that  shall  die,  and  the  son  of  man  which  shall  be 
made  as  grass?  (Isa.  51.)  Christ  also  says:  Fear  not  them  which 
kill  the  body,  but  are  not  able  to  kill  the  soul;  but  rather  fear  him 
which  is  able  to  destroy  both  soul  and  body  in  hell.  Whosoever 
will  confess  him  before  men,  him  Avill  he  also  confess  before  his 
heavenly  Father;  but  whosoever  denies  him,  him  will  he  also  deny 
before  his  heavenly  Father.  (Matt.  10;  Luke  12.)  With  the  heart, 
says  Paul,  Ave  believe  unto  righteousness,  but  with  the  mouth  Ave 
make  confession  unto  salvation. 

Since  then  the  scriptures  urge  so  much  both  as  to  believing  and 
confessing,  and  comfort  us  so  pleasantly  against  the  raging  and 
raving  of  men,  therefore,  do  Ave  desire  to  abide  by  the  scriptures 
until  death;  and  we  hereby  testify  before  you  in  Christ  Jesus,  that 
we  neither  have,  nor  knoAV  of  any  other  Ground,  Faith  or  Doctrine, 
than  what  may  be  plainly  read,  heard  or  understood  trom  the  word 
of  the  Lord,  Amen. 

MENNO  SIMON. 


MENNO  SIMON'S  RENUNCIATION 


OF    THE 


CHURCH  OF  ROME, 


My  Reader— 

I  write  to  you  the  truth  in  Christ,  and  lie  not.  In  the  year 
1524,  being  then  in  my  twenty-eighth  year,  I  undertook  the 
duties  of  a  priest  in  my  father's  village,  called  Penningum,  in 
Friesland.  Two  others  of  similar  age  to  myself  also  officiated 
in  the  same  station.  The  one  was  my  i^astor,  and  was  Avell 
learned  in  part — the  other  succeeded  me — both  had  read  the 
scriptures  partially;  but  I  had  not  touched  them  during  my 
life,  for  I  feared,  if  I  should  read  them,  they  would  mislead  me. 
Behold!  such  a  stupid  preacher  I  was,  for  nearly  two  years. ^ 

In  the  first  year  thereafter  a  thought  occun-ed  to  me,  as  often 
as  I  handled  the  bread  and  wine  in  the  mass,  that  they  were 
not  the  flesh  and  blood  of  the  Lord,  I  thought  that  it  was  the 
suggestion  of  the  devil  that  he  might  lead  me  off  from  my 
faith.  I  confessed  it  often — sighed  and  jM,-ayed,  yet  I  could  not 
be  freed  from  this  thought. 

Those  two  aforementioned  young  men  and  myself  spent  our 
time  daily  in  playing,  drinking,  and  all  manner  of  frivolous 
diversion,  alas!  as  it  is  the  fashion  and  way  of  such  useless 
people :  and  when  we  were  to  treat  a  little  of  scripture,  I  could 
not  speak  a  word  with  them  without  being  scoffed  at;  for  I  did 
not  know  what  I  asserted — thus  concealed  was  the  word  of 
God  to  my  understanding. 

At  length  I  resolved  that  I  would  examine  the  New  Testa- 
ment attentively;  I  had  not  proceeded  far  therein  before  I  dis- 
covered that  we  were  deceived.    My  conscience,  whicb  was 


16  MEKKO  BIMON's  KEKUNCIATION 

troubled  on  account  of  the  sacramental  bread,  aforementioned, 
soon  obtained  relief,  without  any  human  aid  or  advice;  though 
I  was  encouraged  by  Luther  in  the  belief  that  human  authority 
cannot  bind  to  eternal  death. 

Through  the  illumination  and  grace  of  the  Lord,  I  continued 
daily  to  examine  the  scriptures,  and  was  soon  considered  by 
some,  though  undeservedly,  as  being  an  Evangelical  preacher.. 
Every  one  sought  my  company — the  world  loved  me  and  had 
my  affections,  yet  it  was  said  tliat  I  preached  the  Avord  of  God, 
and  was  a  clever  man. 

Afterwards  it  happened,  before  I  had  been  aware  of  the 
existence  of  brethren,  that  a  pious,  patient  man,  named  Sicke 
Snyder,  was  hanged  at  Leuewarden  for  having  his  baptism 
renewed.  It  sounded  strange  to  me,  to  hear  a  second  baptism 
spoken  of.  I  examined  the  scriptures,  and  meditated  on  them 
assiduously  and  earnestly,  but  could  find  nothing  in  tliem  con- 
cerning infant  baptism.  After  I  had  discovered  this,  I  con- 
versed with  my  pastor  on  the  subject;  and  after  much  discus- 
sion, we  carried  it  so  far  that  he  had  to  confess  that  infant 
baptism  had  no  scriptural  foundation.  Notwithstanding  all 
this,  I  dared  not  tru?t  my  own  understanding,  but  consulted 
several  ancient  authors.  They  taught  me  that  children  were 
to  be  Washed  by  baptism  from  their  original  sin.  I  compared 
this  doctrine  with  the  scriptures  and  found  that  it  made  bap- 
tism take  the  place  of  the-blood  of  Christ. 

x^fterwards,  desiring  to  know  the  grounds  for  infant  baptism, 
I  went  and  consulted  Luther.  He  taught  me  that  children  were 
to  be  baptized  on  account  of  their  own  faith.  I  perceived  that 
this  also  was  not  in  accordance  with  the  word  of  God. 

Next  I  consulted  Bucer.  He  taught  that  infants  Avere  to  be 
baptized — that  their  baptism  would  cause  those  who  had  their 
training  to  be  more  careful  in  bringing  them  uj)  in  the  way 
of  the  Lord.  I  perceived  that  this  doctrine,  too,  was  without 
foundation. 

I  then  consulted  Bulliger.  He  directed  me  to  the  covenant 
and  circumcision.  This  I  found  incapable  of  being  substan- 
tiated by  scripture. 

Having  thus  observed  that  authors  varied  greatly  among 
themselves,  each  following  his  own  opinion,  I  became  convinced 
that  Ave  Avere  deceived  in  relation  to  infant  baptism. 

Shortly  after,  I  went  to  the  village  in  which  I  was  born, 
called  Witmarsum.  Covetousness  and  a  desire  to  obtain  a 
great  name,  Avere  the  inducements  Avhich  led  me  to  that  place. 
There  I  spoke  much  concerning  the  scriptures,  without  spiritu- 
ality or  love,  even  as  all  hypocrites  do.  I  made  disciples  of 
my  own  stamp,  such  as  vain  boasters  and  light-minded  persons, 
who,  alas!  like  myself,  took  but  little  of  scriptural  instructiou 


OF   THE  CHURCH  OF   ROME.  17 

to  heart.  And  though  I  was  able  now  to  understand  much  of 
the  scriptures,  yet  I  wasted  that  knowledge,  through  the  lusts 
of  my  youth,  in  an  impure,  sensual,  unprofitable  life.  I  sought 
nothing  but  gain,  ease,  favor  of  men,  splendor,  reputation  and 
honor,  even  as  they  all  generally  do,  who  embark  in  the  same 
course  of  life. 

Thus,  my  reader,  I  obtained  the  knowledge  of  baptism  and 
the  Lord's  supper,  through  the  illumination  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
— through  much  reading  of  the  scriptures,  and  meditating 
upon  them,  and  through  the  gracious  favor  and  gift  of  God, 
but  not  by  means  of  the  service  of  misleading  sects,  as  it  is  re- 
ported of  me.  I  hope  that  I  write  the  truth  and  do  not  seek 
vain  glory;  though  some,  doubtless,  may  have  contributed  to 
my  assistance  in  the  pursuit  of  truth,  yet  will  I,  for  this,  ren- 
der thanks  to  the  Lord  forever. 

Meanwhile  it  happened  before  I  had  resided  there  one  year, 
that  some  had  almost  broke  in  upon  us  with  baptism,  but 
whence  the  first  beginners  were,  or  where  they  resided,  or  who 
they  properly  were,  is  unknown  to  me;  neither  have  I  ever 
seen  them. 

Afterwards  the  sect  of  Munster  made  inroads,  by  whom 
many  pious  hearts  in  our  quarter  were  led  into  error.  My 
soul  was  much  troubled,  for  I  perceived,  that  though  they 
were  zealous,  they  erred  in  doctrine.  I  exerted  my  feeble 
efforts,  as  far  as  I  was  able,  in  opposing  them  by  preaching  and 
exhortations.  I  conferred  twice  with  one  of  then-  leaders,  once 
in  private,  and  again  in  public;  but  my  admonitions  availed 
nothing,  because  I  did  that  myself  which  I  well  knew  was  not 
right. 

The  report  spread  far  abroad  that  I  could  silence  these  per- 
sons. All  looked  to  me.  I  saw  that  I  was  the  leader  in  this 
combat — the  surety  of  the  impenitent — all  depended  upon  me. 
This  pained  my  heart;  I  sighed  and  prayed:  Lord  help  me  lest 
I  make  rnyself  partaker  of  other  men's  sins.  My  soul  was 
troubled  and  I  reflected,  if  I  should  gain  the  whole  world  and 
live  a  thousand  years,  and  at  last  have  to  endure  the  wrath  of 
God,  what  would  I  have  gained? 

Afterwards  the  poor  straying  flock,  who  wandered  as  sheep 
without  a  shepherd,  after  many  severe  edicts  and  slaughters, 
assembled  near  my  place  of  residence,  called  Oude  Cloistre, 
and,  alas!  through  the  ungodly  doctrine  of  Munster,  drew  the 
sword  to  defend  themselves,  which  the  Lord  commanded  Peter 
to  put  up  in  the  sheath. 

The  blood  of  the  slain, 'although  they  were  in  error,  grieved 
me  so  sorely  that  I  could  not  endure  it — I  could  find  no  rest  in 
my  soul.  I  reflected  upon  my  carnal,  sinful  life — my  hypo- 
critical doctrine  and  idolatry,  in  which  I  continued  daily  under 


18  MENNO   BOION'S  KENUNCIATION 

the  appearance  of  godliness.  I  perceived  that  these  zealous 
persons  would  willingly  ha-ve  resigned  their  lives  and  their 
estates,  though  they  were  in  error,  for  the  principles  which 
they  maintained.  I  was  one  of  those  who  had  discovered  to 
them  some  of  their  abominations,  and  yet  I  myself  remained 
satisfied  with  my  unrestrained  life,  and  known  defilements.  I 
wished  only  to  live  comfortably  and  without  the  crosisof  Christ. 

Thus  reflecting,  my  soul  was  grieved  beyond  endurance.  I 
meditated  j with  myself— I,  miserable  man!  "What  shall  I  do? 
If  I  continue  in  this  way  and  live  not  agreeably  to  the  word  of 
the  Lord — if  I  refuse  to  exert  my  limited  talents  to  rebuke,  by 
the  aid  of  the  word  of  God,  the  learned  hypocrisy,  the  impeni- 
tent lives,  the  perverted  baptism,  the  Lord's  supper,  and  the 
false  worship  of  God — if  I,  through  bodily  fear,  refuse  to  show 
them  the  right  foundation  of  truth,  or  forbear  to  use  my  powers 
to  direct  the  wandering  flock,  who  would  gladly  do  their  duty 
if  they  knew  it,  to  the  true  pasture  of  Christ — oh  how  shall 
their  shed  blood  rise  against  me  in  the  judgment  of  the 
Almighty,  and  pronounce  sentence  against  my  miserable  soul. 

My^'heart  trembled  in  my  body.  I  prayed  to  God  with  sighs 
and  tears,  that  he  would  give  to  me,  a  troubled  sinner,  the 
gift  of  his  grace,  and  create  a  clean  heart  within  me;  that 
through  the  merits  of  the  blood  of  Christ,  he  would  graciously 
forgive  my  unclean  and  unprofitable  life,  and  bestow  upon  me 
wisdom,  candor  and  fortitude,  that  I  might  with  sincerity 
preach  his  adorable  name  and  holy  word,  and  make  manifest 
his  truth  to  his  praise. 

I  began  in  tlie  name  of  the  Lord  to  preach  publicly  from  the 
pulpit  the  word  of  repentance — to  direct  the  people  into  the 
narrow  path — and  through  scripture  to  reprove  all  ungodliness 
and  sin — all  idolatry  and  false  worship — and  to  present  the 
truth  concerning  baptism  and  the  Lord's  supper,  according  to 
the  doctrine  of  Christ^. 

I  faithfully  warned  every  one  in  relation  to  the  abominations 
and  crimes  of  Munster,  conceniing  kingn,  polygamy,  icealth,  the 
aicorcl,  tVc,  till  about  the  period  of  nine  months,  when  the 
gracious  Lord  granted  me  his  fatherly  spirit  and  aid;  then  I 
voluntarily  renounced  all  my  wordly  honor  and  reputation — 
my  unchristian  conduct,  masses,  infant  baptism,  and  my  un- 
profitable life,  and  willingly  submitted  to  poverty  and  distress, 
and  to  the  yoke  of  Christ.  In  my  weakness  I  feared  the  Lord 
— I  sought  out  the  pious,  and  though  they  were  few  in  number, 
I  found  some,  who  vrere  zealous  and  maintained  the  truth.  I 
conferred  with  the  wicked,  and  through  the  Avord  and  power  of 
God,  reclaimed  some  from  the  snares  of  damnation,  and  gained 
them  to  Christ.  The  hardened  and  rebellious  I  commended  to 
the  Lord.     Thus,  my. reader,  the  God  of  mercy,  through  the 


OF   THE   CHURCH   OF   EOME.  19 

benign  influence  of  his  grace,  exerted  upon  the  heart  of  me  a 
miserable  sinner,  produced  in  me  a  new  mind,  humbled  me  in 
his  fear,  taught  me  to  know  myself  in  part,  turned  me  from 
the  way  of  death,  and  called  me  into  the  narrov/  path  of  life — 
to  the  communion  of  his  saints.  To  him  be  praise  forever 
more. 

About  one  year  thereafter,  at  which  time  I  exercised  myself 
in  writing  and  in  reading  the  word  of  God  in  secret,  it  hap- 
pened that  six,  seven  or  eight  persons  came  to  me,  who  were' 
of  one  heart  and  one  soul  with  myself,  in  their  faith  and  life, 
and  as  far  as  man  can  judge,  were  unblamable,  separated  frojn 
the  world  and  subdued  to  the  cross.  They  cordially  abhorred 
not  only  the  sect  of  Munster,  but  the  anathemas  and  abomina- 
tions of  all  other  worldly  sects.  With  much  solicitude,  they 
kindly  requested  me  to  reflect  on  the  suflerings,  the  oppression 
and  distress  of  those  souls  whose  spiritual  hunger  was  great, 
whilst  the  faithful  stewards  were  few.  They  desired  that  the 
talents  which  I  had  unmeritedly  received  from  the  Lord  might 
be  applied  to  advantage. 

When  I  heard  this  my  heart  was  greatly  troubled.  Trouble 
and  fear  were  on  every  side;  for  on  the  one  hand  I  was  sensible 
of  my  limited  talents,  my  great  ignorance,  my  weak  nature, 
the  timidity  of  my  flesh,  the  unbounded  wickedness,  perversity 
and  tyranny  of  the  world,  the  powerful  sects,  the  subtlety  of 
different  minds,  and  the  heavy  cross  that  would  press  mo, 
should  I  comply  with  their  solicitations.  On  the  other  hand, 
I  saw  the  miserable  starving  condition  of  the  Christians ;  for 
I  was  aware  that  they  erred  as  innocent  sheep  which  have  no 
shepherd. 

At  last,  after  much  prayer,  I  placed  myself  and  these  cir- 
cumstances before  the  Lord  and  his  church,  in  order  that  we 
might  pray  to  the  Lord  for  a  season,  that  should  it  accord  with 
his  holy  will,  he  would  give  me  such  a  mind  and  heart  as  would 
enable  me  to  say  with  Paul,  "  Woe  is  me,  if  I  preach  not  the 
Gospel;"  for  Christ  says:  "That  if  two  of  you  shall  agree  on 
earth  as  touching  anything  that  they  shall  ask,  it  shall  be  done 
for  tlieyi  of  my  Father  which  is  in  heaven.  ,  For  where  two  or 
three  are  gathered  together  in  my  name,  there  am  I  in  the 
midst  of  them. ' '     (Matt.  18. ) 

Thus,  my  reader,  behold,  I  was  not  called  to  serve  among 
the  followers  of  Munster,  nor  of  any  other  seditious  sect,  (as 
it  is  falsely  reported  concerning  me, )  but  I  have  been  called  by 
a  people  who  were  ready  to  receive  Christ  and  his  word,  led  a 
penitent  life  in  the  fear  of  God,  served  their  neighbors  in  love, 
bore  the  cross,  sought  the  welfare  and  salvation  of  all  men, 
loved  righteousness  and  truth,  and  abhorred  wickedness.  Thus 
tliey  manifested  that  they  were  not  such  perverted  persons  as 


20  MENNO  BIMON'S  KENUNCIATION 

they  are  slanderously  reported  to  have  been.  But  they  were 
true  Christians,  though  unknown  to  the  world  ;  if  we  other- 
wise believe  that  Christ's  word  is  true,  and  his  holy  life  and 
example  unblamable. 

Thus  have  I,  a  miserable  sinner,  been  enlightened  of  the 
Lord,  converted  to  a  new  mind,  fled  from  Babel,  went  into 
Jerusalem,  and  finally  I  have,  though  unworthy,  advanced  to 
this  high  and  arduous  station. 

When  the  persons  before  mentioned  did  not  desist  from  their 
supplications,  and  my  own  conscience  in  some  degree  made  me 
uneasy,  (although  in  weakness)  because  I  saw  the  great  hunger 
and  need,  already  named,  I  surrendered  myself,  soul  and  body, 
to  the  Lord  and  committed  myself  to  his  grace,  and  com- 
menced according  to  the  contents  of  his  holy  word,  to  teach, 
and  to  baptize,  to  labor  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord  with  my 
limited  talents,  to  build  up  his  holy  city  and  temple,  and  to 
repair  the  dilapidated  walls.  The  great  and  mighty  God  has 
made  known  the  word  of  true  repentance — the  word  of  his 
grace  and  power,  together  with  the  salutary  use  of  his  holy 
sacraments,  through  our  insignificant  service  and  unlearned 
writings,  together  with  the  service,  labor  and  help  of  our  faith- 
ful brethren  in  many  towns  and  countries.  The  Lord  made 
the  condition  of  his  churches  glorious,  and  accompanied  them 
with  such  a  subduing  power,  that  many  exalted  and  proud 
hearts  were  not  only  humbled,  the  unclean  not  only  purified, 
the  drunkard  made  sober,  the  avaricious  benevolent,  the  fero- 
cious mild,  and  the  impious  pious ;  but  they  also  faithfully 
renounced  their  possessions  and  blood,  bodies  and  lives,  for  the 
testimony  of  Jesus,  as  may  daily  be  seen.  These  are  not  the 
fruits  and  evidences  of  false  doctrines,  where  God  is  not  a  co- 
worker. Neither  could  they  endure  so  long  under  such  grievous 
misery  and  oppressive  crosses,  were  it  not  the  power  and  word 
of  the  Almighty  which  sustains  them.  Yea,  more,  the  Lord 
endured  them  with  such  grace  and  wisdom,  as  Christ  Ira's 
promised  to  all  his  children  in  their  trials,  so  that  all  the 
worldly-wise  and  renowned  teachers,  together  with  the  blood- 
guilty  daring  tyrants,  who,  O  God,  boast  that  they  are  ,Chris- 
tians,  were  vanquished  and  abashed  by  these  invincible  cham- 
pions and  witnesses  of  Christ.  Those  ferocious  persons  knew 
of  no  other  weapons  or  refuge  to  which  to  resort  than  those  of 
banishing,  seizing,  punishing,  burning,  murdering,  and  de- 
stroying, even  as  has  always  been  the  custom  of  the  old  ser- 
pent from  the  beginning,  and  as  may  be  daily  witnessed  in 
many  places  of  our  Netherlands. 

Behold  these  are  our  calling,  our  doctrine  and  fruits  of  our 
practice;  on  account  of  which  we  are  so  grievously  slandered 
and  so  malevolently  persecuted;  whether  or  not  all  the  prophets, 


op  THE  CHURCH  OF  ROME.  21 

apostles,  and  faithful  servants  of  God  have  endured  similar 
sufferings  on  account  of  their  laithfuhiess,  we  willingly  leave 
all  the  pious  to  be  judges. 

But  as  much  as  regards  my  poor,  weak  and  imperfect  life,  I 
freely  confess  that  I  am  a  poor  wretched  sinner,  conceived  of 
sinful  seed  in  sin,  and  sinfully  brought  forth.  I  can  say  with 
David,  "  That  my  sins  are  ever  before  me.  My  thoughts,  words 
and  actions  condemn  me."  I  see  with  holy  Paul,  "That 
nothing  good  dwells  in  my  flesh."  Nevertheless,  I  must  be 
allowed  to  boast  this  much  in  my  weakness,  if  this  wicked  des- 
olate world  would  hear  our  doctrine  (not  ours  but  the  doctrine 
of  Christ)  with  patience  and  follow  it  implicitly,  in  the  fear  of 
God,  there  would  soon  be  another  kind  of  Christianity  than  is, 
alas!  existing  now. 

I  thank  God,  who  has  made  me  willing,  with  holy  Paul,  to 
hate  the  evil  and  follow  the  good;  and  willingly  would  I  with 
my  own  blood,  reclaim  the  wicked  world  from  ungodly  works, 
and  gain  it  to  Christ.  Through  the  grace  of  God,  it  is  all  my 
desire  to  fear  the  Lord  with  all  my  heart;  to  love,  seek  and 
serve  him,  to  do  right  before  him,  and  be  an  unblamable  godly 
Christian. 

I  hope  through  the  Lord's  mercy  and  assistance,  that  no  one 
upon  earth  may  have  ground  to  accuse  me  of  leading  an  avari- 
cious and  luxurious  life.  Money  and  affluence  I  have  not — I 
desire  them  not,  although,  alas!  some  from  a  perverted  heart 
say  that  I  eat  more  roasted  than  they  do  seethed;  and  drink 
more  wine  than  they  do  beer.  My  Lord  and  Master,  Jesus 
Christ,  was  also  called  a  winebibber,  and  a  glutton.  I  trust 
that  through  the  grace  of  the  Lord  I  am  innocent  in  this 
matter,  and  stand  acquitted  before  God. 

He  who  purchased  me  with  the  blood  of  his  love,  and  called 
me,  who  am  unworthy,  to  his  service,  knows  me,  and  knows  that 
I  seek  not  wealth  nor  luxury  nor  ease,  but  only  the  praise  of 
the  Lord,  my  salvation,  and  the  souls  of  those  on  whose  account 
I,  with  my  poot  weak  wife  and  children,  had  to  endure  for 
eighteen  years,  so  much  affliction  and  persecution.  Every 
where  around  me  were  fears  and  dangers;  yea,  when  the  minis- 
ters repose  on  easy  beds  and  downy  pillows,  we  have  to  conceal 
ourselves  in  secret.  When  they  at  weddings  pipe  and  beat  the 
tambour  and  vaunt  loudly,  we  must  look  out,  when  the  dogs 
bark,  lest  the  captors  be  at  hand.  Whilst  they  are  saluted  as 
doctors,  lords  and  teachers  by  every  one,  we  have  to  hear  that 
we  are  Ana-baptists,  hed^e  preachers,  deceivers  and  heretics, 
and  must  be  saluted  in  the  name  of  the  devil.  In  short,  whilst 
they  are  gloriously  rewarded  for  their  services  with  large  in- 
comes and  easy  times,  our  recompense  and  portion  must  be 
fire,  sword  and  death. 


22  MENNO  SIMON'S  BENUNCIATION. 

Behold, .my  faithful  readers,  in  such  fear,  poverty,  misery  and 
danger  of  death,  have  I,  wretched  man,  performed  to  this  hour, 
without  change,  the  service  of  the  Lord,  and  I  hope  through 
his  grace  to  continue  therein  to  his  glory,  as  long  as  I  remain 
in  this  earthly  tabernacle.  What  I  and  my  co-workers  have 
sought  in  performing  our  arduous  duties,  is  apparent  to  all  the 
well-disposed,  who  may  readily  judge  from  the  works  and  their 
fruits. 

I  will  here  humbly  entreat  the  reader,  for  Jesus'  sake,  to 
accept  in  love,  this  my  confession  in  relation  to  my  illumination, 
conversion  and  calling,  and  to  meditate  thereon.  I  have  made 
it  on  account  of  urgent  necessity;  because  I  was  slandered  by 
the  clergy,  and  am  accused,  without  foundation  of  truth,  of 
Ijeing  called  and  ordained  to  the  service  of  a  seditious  and 
heretical  sect.     He  that  feareth  God  let  him  read  and  judge. 

MENNO  SIMON. 


OF  THE  DAY  OF  GEACE.  23 


OF  THE  DAY  OF  GRACE. 

In  the  first  place  we  teach,  CJohn  3)  what  Jesus,  the  teacher 
from  heaven,  the  oracle  and  word  of  the  Most  High  God,  him- 
self, taught,  that  now  is  the  time  of  grace,  a  time  to  awaken 
from  the  sleep  of  our  abominable  sins,  (Rom.  13),  and  obtain 
an  upright,  converted,  renewed,  contrite  and  repenting  heart, 
and  cordially  to  lament  before  God  our  past  profligate  and 
dissolute  course  of  life.  And  now  is  the  time,  in  the  fear  of 
God,  to  crucify  and  mortify  our  depraved,  sinful  flesh,  temper 
^nd  nature,  and  arise  with  Christ  into  a  new,  righteous  and 
penitent  life  and  conduct.  (Eph.  4;  Gal.  5;  Rom.  6;  Mark  1.) 
The  time  is  fulfilled,  and  the  kingdom  of  God  is  at  hand:  re- 
pent ye  and  believe  the  Gospel. 

The  time  is  fulfilled,  that  is,  the  promised  day  of  grace  ap- 
proaches— the  time  for  the  appearing  of  the  promised  seed,  the 
time  of  redemption,  the  time  of  that  offering  by  which  all 
things  were  to  be  reconciled  in  heaven  and  upon  earth.  (Qen. 
3;  Col.  1;  Eph.  1.)  The  time  for  the  consummation  of  all  the 
literal  and  figurative  transactions  into  new,  spiritual  and  abiding- 
truth.  The  time  for  which  the  fathers,  Jacob,  Moses,  Isaiah, 
David,  Daniel,  &c.,  with  all  the  patriarchs  and  prophets, 
looked  and  hojied  with  many  tears.  They  saw  this  time,  by 
faith,  from  afar,  and  drew  their  comfort  and  hopes  therefrom. 
(Heb.  11.)  Yea,  it  was  to  them  such  a  great  and  pleasing 
consolation,  that  good  old  Simeon  desired  life  no  longer,  when 
he  beheld  the  time  and  saw  the  Redeemer.  He  said.  Lord, 
now  lettest  thou  thy  servant  depart  in  peace,  according  to  thy 
word,  for  mine  eyes  have  seen  thy  salvation  which  thou  hast 
prepared  before  the  face  of  all  people. 

The  time  is  fulfilled. — The  predictions  of  the  prophets  and 
promises  of  the  fathers,  are  perfonned — the  sworn  oath  is 
accomplished — Israel  has  obtained  its  David,  its  Prince  and 
Chief.  He  has  arisen  as  a  mighty  one  to  prepare  his  way. 
(Ps.  2;  Isa.  9;  Jer.  23:  30,-33;  Hos.  3.)  His  going  forth  is 
from  the  heavens — the  Anointed  who  was  the  desire  of  all  na- 
tions has  coine,  girded  with  the  sword  of  the  spirit  and  valiant 
for  battle.  (Isa.  19;  Mich.  5;  Hag..  2;  Isa.  24.)  He  has  declared 
the  gospel  of  the  kingdom— the  word  of  his  Father.  He  taught 
by  precept  and  by  the  example  of  his  unblemished  life.  (Matt. 
4;  John  7,  13,  15.)  He  has  conquered  the  mighty,  and  sub- 
dued the  power  of  the  devil;  he  bore  our  sins,  abolished  death, 
reconciled  the  father,  and  acquired  for  all  the  children  of  God, 
grace,  mercy  and  eternal  life.     (Matt.  11;  Luke  11;  Heb.  2; 


24  OP  THE  DAY  OP  GRACE. 

Isa.  53;  1  Peter  2;  1  Cor.  15;  Col.  1.)  He  lias  been  ordaiued 
by  his  Almighty  and  Eternal  Father  as  an  omnipotent  King- 
over  the  holy  Mount  Zion.  He  has  become  the  head  of  the 
church,  a  dispenser  of  the  heavenly  blessings,  yea,  he  is  an 
Almighty  Ruler  over  all,  in  heaven  and  upon  earth,  (Isa.  2; 
Eph.  2;  Heb.  3,)  and  this  is  what  Christ  saith,  the  time  is  ful- 
filled, and  the  kingdom  of  God  is  at  hand. 

Out  of  compassion  and  a  sincere  heart,  I  beseech  you,  with 
the  apostle  Paul,  that  you  take  heed  to  this  day  of  grace,  and 
be  obedient  to  the  word  of  God,  which  says:  "I  have  heard 
thee  in  an  accepted  time;  and  in  the  day  of  salvation,  have  I 
succored  thee.  Behold,  now  is  the  accepted  time,  now  is  the 
day  of  salvation. "  Let  us,  with  Paul,  give  no  offence  to  any 
one,  that  our  ministry  be  not  slandered,  but  in  all  things  ap- 
proving ourselves  as  the  ministers  of  God,  in  much  patience  in 
afflictions,  in  distresses,  in  stripes,  in  imprisonment,  in  tumults, 
(understand  this  in  relation  to  things  which  befall  us),  in  la- 
bors, in  watchings,  in  fastings;  by  pureness,  by  knowledge,  by 
long-suffering,  by  kindness,  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  by  love  unfeign- 
ed, by  the  word  gf  truth,  by  the  power  of  God,  by  the  armor  of 
righteousness,  in  the  right  hand,  and  in  the  left,  by  honor  and 
dishonor,  by  evil  report  and  good  report;  as  deceivers  and  yet 
true;  as  unknown,  and  yet  well  known;  as  dying,  and,  behold, 
we  live;  as  chastened  and  not  killed;  as  sorrowful,  yet  always 
rejoicing;  as  poor,  yet  making  many  rich;  as  having  nothing 
and  yet  possessing  all  things,  (2  Cor.  6: 1, — 10.)  Oh  my  beloved 
sirs,  friends  and  brethren,  my  mouth  is  open  unto  you  and  my 
heart  is  enlarged  for  your  sake.  I  am  much  grieved  that  you 
are  so  careless,  and  pay  no  attention  to  these  plain,  intelligible 
scriptures — that  you  wholly  contemn  the  word  of  the  Lord,  and 
suffer  the  precious  time  of  grace  to  pass  so  shamefully  away, 
and  regard  nothing  more  than  to  live  according  to  the  lusts  of 
your  flesh  whilst  you  bow  to  dumb  idols.  Alas!  It  is  the  time 
to  awaken.  The  angel  has  sworn  (Rev.  10)  by  him  that  livetli 
forever  and  ever,  who  created  heaven  and  the  things  that  are 
therein  and  the  earth,  that  after  this  time  there  shall  be  time 
no  more.  We  know  not  but  that  now,  the  present  time,  is  the 
last  vigil  of  the  year,  the  last  proclamation  of  the  holy  gospel, 
the  last  invitation  to  the  marriage  of  the  Lamb,  which  is  to  be 
celebrated  and  promulgated  before  the  great  and  terrible  day 
of  the  Lord.  Hence,  we  [may  conclude  that  the  summer  will 
pass  away  and  the  winter  approach.  They,  who  like  the  foolish 
virgins,  neglect  to  trim  their  lamps,  will  come  too  late,  and 
knock,  and  shall  be  excluded.  (Matt.  25.)  Therefore,  comfort 
not  one  another  with  idle  comfort,  and  vain  hope;  even  as  some 
do  who  think  that  the  word  should  be  taught,  whilst  they  reject 
the  cross.     I  mean  those  who  know  the  word  of  the  Lord,  but 


OF  THE  DAY  OP  GRACE.  25 

live  not  according  to  it.  The  Lamb  is  slain  from  the  founda- 
tion of  the  world,  (Rev.  13,)  yea,  he  did  not  only  suffer,  in  his 
body,  but  he  also  through  the  cross  and  death  entered  into 
that  glory  which  he  had  left  for  our  sakes.  (Luke  24;  John 
17;  Phil.  2.)  If  Christ  then  had  to  suifer  such  anguish,  misery 
and  pain,  how  can  his  servants  expect  peace,  whilst  they  are 
in  the  flesh.  If  they  have  called  the  master  of  the  house  Beel- 
zebub, how  much  more  shall  they  call  those  of  his  household  ? 
(Matt.  10:  25.)  All  that  would  live  godly  in  Christ  Jesus, 
says  Paul,  must  suffer  persecution,  (2  Tim.  3.)  Ye  shall  be 
hated,  saitli  Christ,  by  all  men  for  my  name's  sake.  (Matt.  10.) 
Banish  then  all  thoughts  of  delay  from  your  heart,  lest  ye 
be  deceived  through  vain  hopes.  I  knew  some  who  waited  for 
more  propitious  days,  to  serve  the  Lord,  but  they  did  not  live 
to  realize  their  hopes.  Had  the  apostles  and  the  fathers  thus 
delayed,  the  gospel  would  at  this  day  be  unknown,  and  the 
word  of  the  kingdom  would  be  concealed.  Oh,  if  you,  who 
boast  that  you  are  christians  and  the  children  of  God,  were  as 
you  ought  to  be,  you  would  say  with  Paul :  Who  shall  separate 
us  from  the  love  of  God,  (Rom.  3.)  For  the  flesh,  the  devil, 
sin,  hell  and  death  would  all  be  subdued,  there  would  be  no 
desire  to  remain  any  longer  in  this  depraved,  wicked,  sanguin- 
ary world.  Ye  would  boast  of  nothing  save  the  cross  of  Christ, 
(Gal.  6,)  and  like  Paul  desire  to  be  delivered  from  this  body 
and  live  with  Christ,  (Phil.  2.)  I  cordially  desire  that  you 
may  awaken  without  delay;  and  may  the  gracious  Lord  give  us 
liberty  and  joy,  which  we  shall  thankfully  receive  at  his 
gracious  hands;  but  should  he  withhold  his  blessings,  still  his 
great  name  must  and  shall  be  praised  eternally.  We  have  all 
enjoyed  the  acceptable  time  of  grace;  for  now  is  the  the  day  of 
salvation.  Let  us  not,  like  ungrateful,  disobedient,  bloodthirsty 
Jerusalem,  reject  the  divine  peace,  heavenly  grace,  but  let  us 
awaken  with  sober  hearts  and  hear  the  inviting  voice  and  rise 
NOW  from  the  slumber  of  our  offensive  sins,  for  the  Lord  is  at 
hand;  the  night  is  far  spent,  the  day  is  at  hand;  let  us,  there- 
fore, cast  off  the  works  of  darkness,  and  let  us  put  on  the  armor 
of  light;  let  us  walk  honestly  as  in  the  day;  not  in  rioting  and 
drunkenness,  not  in  chambering  and  wantonness,  not  in  strife 
and  envy.  But  put  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  make  not 
provision  for  the  flesh,  to  fulfill  the  lusts  thereof.  (Rom.  13.) 
Let  every  one  be  vigilant,  for  now  is  the  time  which  the  grace 
of  God  has  given  for  repentance.  Ecce,  nunc  tempus  acceptum, 
Ecce,  nunc  dies  salutis.  Behold,  now  is  the  accepted  time, 
behold  now  is  the  day  of  salvation. 


OF  SINCERE  AIXD  TRUE  BEPENTANCE. 


OF  SINCERE  AND  TRUE  REPENTANCE. 

In  the  second  place,  we  exhoft  you  in  the  language  of  Christ, 
repent  for  the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  at  hand.  (Math.  4.)  Oh, 
thou  faithful  word  of  divine  grace  and  love,  thou  art  read  and 
sung,  and  preached  with  the  mouth,  with  life,  and  death,  and 
proclaimed  in  different  parts  of  the  world,  but  thy  power  so 
few  desire;  and  what  is  more  deplorable,  those  who  receive 
thee,  are  made  a  prey  by  an  ungodly  world.  Beloved,  it  will 
avail  us  nothing  to  be  called  Christians  and  boast  of  the  Lord's 
blood,  merits,  grace  and  gospel,  as  long  as  we  are  not  con- 
verted from  a  sinful  life.  It  is  all  in  vain  that  we  are  called 
Christians,  or  that  Christ  died,  or  that  we  were  born  in  the  days 
of  grace,  and  baptized  vt^ith  water,  if  we  walk  not  in  obedience 
to  all  the  commandments  of  God;  therefore  let  us  awaken  from 
the  slumber  of  sin.  Behold  the  world  lieth  in  wickedness. 
All  around  may  be  seen  sensuality,  pride,  lying,  fraud,  avarice, 
strife,  incontinence,  murdering,  hypocrisy,  blasphemy,  idolatry, 
aad  false  worship.  (Ps.  31 ;  Ezek.  22;  Mich.  6;  Hos.  4;  Rom.  4. ) 
In  short,  the  efforts  of  a  sinful  world  are  directed  against  what 
God  commands.  Who  can  relate  the  alarming  condition  of  the 
present  times!  Yet  the  wicked  want  to  call  themselves  the  holy 
Christian  church!  Oh  no!  they  who  do  such  things,  saith  Paul, 
will  not  inherit  the  kingdpm  of  God.  (Rom.  1;  1  Cor.  6;  Gal. 
5;  Eph.  5;  Rev.  21;  John  3.)  O,  ye  men,  awake  from  your 
slumbers,  for  thus  saith  the  Lord,  verily,  verily  I  say  unto  you 
except  ye  be  born  from  above  ye  shall  not  see  the  kingdom  of 
God.  Again,  verily,  verily  I  say  unto  you,  except  ye  be  born 
of  water  and  the  spirit,  ye  cannot  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God. 
Again,  verily,  verily,  I  say,  except  ye  repent  and  become  as 
little  children,  ye  cannot  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven, 
(Matt.  18.)  What  does  it  profit  to  speak  much  of  Christ  and 
his  word,  if  we  do  not  believe  him  and  obey  his  command- 
ments. Again,  I  say,  awaken,  banish  accursed  unbelief  with 
all  unrighteousness  from  your  hearts;  live  a  pious,  penitent 
life  according  to  the  scriptures;  for  Christ  says,  except  ye 
repent,  ye  shall  all  likewise  perish..  (Luke  13.)  Here  do  not 
understand  such  repentance  as  is  taught-  by  an  erring  world, 
which  is  only  an  outward  appearance,  consisting  of  hurnan 
righteousness,  such  as  hypocritical  fasting,  pilgrimage,  praying 
and  reading  of  Pater  Nosters  and  Ave  Marias,  hearing  frequent 
masses,  auricular  confessions  and  the  like  hypocrisy,  which 
Christ  and  his  holy  Apostles  did  not  teach  and  command,  and, 
therefore,  instead  of  profiting,  it  will  tend  to  provoke  and 


OF  SINCERE  AND  TRUE  REPENTANCE.  27 

excite  divine  displeasure.  Such  doctrines  are  fruitless  and 
unavailing — the  commands  of  men — the  enchanted  wine  of 
Babylonian  whoredom,  which  those  who  have  dwelt  upon  the 
earth  have  drunk  for  so  many  ages.  (Rev.  17.)  But  we  speak 
of  a  repentance  possessed  of  power — that  which  was  taught 
by  John,  to  the  Jews — "  Bring  forth  fruits  meet  for  repentance, 
and  think  not  to  say  within  yourselves  we  have  Abraham  for 
our  father,  for  I  say  unto  you,  that  God  is  able  of  these  stones 
to  raise  up  children  unto  Abraham.  And  now  also  the  axe 
is  laid  at  the  root  of  the  trees;  therefore,  every  tree  which 
bringeth  not  forth  good  fruit  is  hewn  down  and  cast  into  the 
fire." 

Behold,  dear  reader,  the  repentance  we  teach  is  to  die  unto 
sin,  and  all  ungodly  works,  and  live  no  longer  according  to  the 
lusts  of  the  flesh.  Do  as  David  did,  (2  Kings  12:  22,  34:,)  when 
he  was  reproved  by  the  prophet  on  account  of  his  adultery, 
and  for  numbering  the  people.  He  wept  -bitterly,  called  upon 
God,  forsook  the  evil  and  did  so  no  more.  Peter  sinned  very 
grievously  but  once,  and  no  more.  Matthew,  when  called  by 
the  Saviour,  forsook  his  former  way  of  life.  (Matt.  16.)  Zaccheus 
and  the  sinful  woman  did  not  again  return  to  the  sinful  works 
of  darkness,  (Matt.  9.)  Zaccheus  made  restitution  to  those 
whom  he  had  defrauded,  and  gave  one-half  his  goods  to  the 
poor  and  distressed,  (Luke  10:  8.)  And  the  woman  wept  bit- 
terly; she  washed  the  feet  of  the  Lord  with  her  tears,  and  wiped 
them  with  the  hair  of  her  head;  she  anointed  him  with  precious 
ointment,  and  sat  humbly  at  his  feet  to  listen  to  his  blessed 
word.  (Luke  7:  10.)  These  are  the  precious  fruits  of  that 
repentance  which  is  acceptable  to  the  Lord.  Therefore,  'it  was 
said  unto  David,  (2  Kings  12,)  that  the  Lord  removed  his  sins 
from  him.  To  Peter  it  was  proclaimed  that  the  Lord  had 
arisen  from  the  dead.  (Matt.  9: 10.)  Matthew  was  called  to  be 
an  apostle.  Zaccheus  was  told  that  he  had  become  a  son  of 
Abraham.  Magdalena  was  commended  for  choosing  the  better 
part  which  would  never  be  taken  from  her,  (Luke  10.)  And 
Christ  said  to  the  adulteress  to  depart  in  peace  and  sin  no  more. 

Such  a  repentance  we  teach  and  none  other.  Namely,  that 
no  one  can  count  himself  pious,  and  glory  in  the  grace  of  God, 
the  forgiveness  of  sin,  or  the  merits  of  Clirist,  unless  he  has 
truly  repented.  It  is  not  enough  to  say,  we  are  Abraham's 
children,  that  is,  that  we  profess  to  be  Christians  and  be  es- 
teemed as  the  followers  of  Christ.  But  we  must  do  the  works 
of  Abraham,  that  is,  we  must  walk  as  all  the  true  children  of 
God  are  commanded  to  walk.  John  says,  "  If  we  say  we  have 
fellowship  with  him  and  walk  in  darkness,  we  lie,  and  do  not 
the  truth.  But  if  we  walk  in  the  light,  as  he  is  in  the  light,  we 
have  fellowship  one  with  another:  and  the  blood  of  Christ,  his 


S9  01*  emCEitE  AND  TRUE  REPENTANCE. 

son,  cleansetli  us  from  all  sin."  (1  John  1:  6, — 8.)  I  ask  my 
readers  if  tlicy  ever  read  in  tlio  scriptures  tl\at  an  impenitent, 
obdurate  man  who  fears  not  God  nor  his  word,  who  is  earthly, 
sensual,  and  devilish,  and  lives  according  to  his  lusts,  can  be  a 
child  of  God  and  a  joint  heir  of  Christ?  You  must  answer,  no. 
But  he  that  with  all  his  heart  ceases  from  evil  and  learns  to  do 
well,  to  him  in  the  whole  scriptures  the  grace  of  the  Lord  is 
proclaimed.  Thus  the jn-ophot  says:  Wash  ye;  make  you  clean; 
put  away  the  evil  of  your  doings  from  before  mine  eyes,  cease 
to  do  evil,  learn  to  do  well,  seek  judgment,  relieve  the  oppressed, 
judge  the  fatherless,  plead  for  the  widow.  Come  now,  let  us 
reason  together,  saith  the  Lord:  though  your  sins  be  as  scar- 
let, they  shall  be  white  as  snow;  though  they  be  red  like 
crimson,  they  shall  be  as  wool,  (Isa.  1.)  And  again:  But  if 
the  wicked  will  turn  from  all  his  sins  that  he  hath  committed, 
and  keep  all  my  statutes  and  do  that  which  is  lawful  and  right, 
he  shall  surely  live — he  shall  not  die.  All  his  transgressions 
which  he  hath  committed,  they  shall  not  be  mentioned  unto  him. 
(Ezek.  18:  31,22.)  And  further,  search  the  whole  scriptures, 
the  true  instructions  and  testimonies  of  the  holy  prophets, 
evangelists  and  apostles;  and  you  will  find  it  clearly  stated 
how  this  godly  repentance  is  to  be  performed  in  sincerity; 
and  that  without  it  no  one  can  receive  grace,  or  enter  into  the 
kingdom  of  heaven.  In  short,  as  far  as  in  us  lies,  we  teach 
repentance  from  the  word  of  the  Lord,  in  order  that  ye  may 
destroy  those  carnal  lusts  which  war  against  the  soul,  (1  Pet. 
2;)  crucify  the  flesh  with  its  lusts  and  desires,  (Gal.  5;)  refrain 
from  oonformity  to  this  world,  (Rom.  18;)  subdue  the  love  of 
this  world  and  the  things  therein,  (John  1;)  put  off  the  old 
man  with  his  deeds,  and  put  on  the  now,  which  is  renewed  in 
knowledge,  after  the  image  of  him,  that  created  him,  (Col.  5;) 
put  off  old  Adam  with  his  whole  nature  and  deceitful  lusts, 
such  as  pride,  avarice,  unchastity,  hatred,  envyings,  gluttony, 
drinking,  idolatry,  and  that  ye  put  on  the  new  man  which  after 
God  is  created  in  righteousness  and  true  holiness,  whose  fruits 
are  faith,  love,  ho]3e,  righteousness,  peace,  joy  in  the  Holy 
Ghost.  (Eph.  4;  Gal.  5;  1  Cor.  18;  Rom.  14.)  In  suffering  be 
l)atient,  merciful,  compassionate  and  chaste;  and  hate  and 
rebuke  all  sin.  Entertain  a  cordial  zeal  for  God  and  his  word. 
I  repeat  it  again,  this  repentance  must  be  sincere,  fruitful, 
acceptable  to  the  Lord  and  according  to  his  word.  He  that 
receives  this  grace,  and  retains  it  to  the  end,  may  rejoice  and 
thank  God,  for  the  end  thereof  is  eternal  life.  Bat  he  that 
rejects  it  and  desires  it  not,  be  he  warned  that  the  end  is  eter- 
nal woe. 

Beloved,  do  for  once  lay  it  to  heart,  what  it  is,  and  what  the 
consequences  will  be,  to  wilfully  transgress  the  commands  of 


OP   SINCERE  AND  TRUE  REPENTANCE.  29 

the  Most  High.     Adam  and  Eve  ate  but  once  of  the  forbidden 
fruit,  which  the  Lord  had  commanded  them  not  to  eat,  (Gen. 
3;)  and  the  earth  was  cursed.     In  the  sweat  of   his  face  Adam 
was  doomed  to  eat  his  bread  all  the  days  of  his  life.     Eve  and 
her  daughters  must  bring  forth  in  pain  and  be  in  subjection  to 
their  husbands.     Both  were  driven  from  Paradise,   and,  with 
all  their  race,  placed  under  the  sentence:  Dust  thou  art  and 
unto  dust  shalt  thou  return.     There  was  no  forgiveness,   no 
consolation.     But  the  Eternal  Word,  God's  Eternal  Son,  came 
from  the  high  heavens — assumed  human  nature,  suffered  hun- 
ger, temptation,  misery,  the  cross  and  death,  for  the  redemption 
of  man.     Oh,  beloved,  if  this  single  transgression  was  so  great 
before  God,  what  shall  become  of  those  who  proudly  despise 
the  holy  word,   the  covenant,   the  will  and  command  of  the 
Lord;  who  do  not  confess,  nor  desist  from  their  sins,   though 
they  are  full  of  iniquity  from  the  crown  of  the  head  to  the  soles 
of  the  feet.     Cain  was  cursed  and  became  a  vagrant  upon 
earth,  because  he  so  enviously  slew  his  innocent  brother  Abel. 
(Gen.  4.)     Alas,  what  will  become  of  those  who  at  the  present 
day,  without  compassion,  x>ersecute,   plunder  and  murder  the 
pious  Abelites,  who,  with  warm  and  sincere  hearts,  seek  Christ 
and    eternal  life!     The   ancient  world  was  drowned   in  the 
waters  of  the  flood,  because  the  "sons  of  God  looked  upon  the 
daughters  of  men,  that  they  were  fair,  and  took  to  themselves 
wives  of    all  which    they  chose."      And  also,  because  they 
would  not  be  reproved  by  the  spirit  of  God,   for  every  imagi- 
nation and  thought  of  the  heart  was  evil  continually.     (Gen. 
6,  7,  8.)     Reflect  upon  the  lu.sts  with  which  the  marriages  of 
the  present  day  are  contracted;  yea,  like  horses  and  mules, 
without  the  fear  of  God.     (Job  6.)     How  the  Holy   G[host  is 
reviled,  slandered  and  grieved,  and  how  they  all  walk  in  their 
perverted  way  which  leads  to  hell.     Sodom  and   Gomorrah, 
with  the  surrounding  cities,  were  burned  up  with  the  fire  of 
the  furious  wrath  of  God,  and  cast  into  the  abyss  of  hell,  on 
account  of  their  pride,   wantonness,   cruelty  and  abominable 
crimes.     Gen.  18,  19;  Ezek.  IG.)     Alas!  what  will  befall  those 
miserable  men  in  the  great  and  terrible  day  when  the  Lord 
will  appear  in  his  glory — those  miserable  men,   whose  pride, 
covetousness,  debauchery,   pomp,   tyranny,  blood  thirstyness, 
adultery,  fornication,  papal  abominations,   no  heart  can  con- 
ceive, no  tongue  can  express  or  describe.     (Rom.  1;  1  Tim.  1.) 
Koran,  Dathan  and  Abiram,  though  they  were  the  seed  of 
Abraham,  and  some  of  them  born  of  Xevi,  yet  because  they 
revolted  against  Moses  and  Aaron,   and  entered  uncalled  into 
the  sacerdotal  office,  they  and  all  their  company,   were  sunk 
into  the  earth  aUve.     (Numb.   16.)     Reflect,   what  will  ulti- 
mately befall  our  Korites,  or  what  they  have  to  await,  who 


30  OF  SINCERE  AND  TRUE  REPENTANCE. 

have  never  acknowledged  God,  much  less  have  been  sent  by 
him.  Their  service  and  calling  are  not  from  God,  nor  accord- 
ing to  his  word,  but,  as  the  scriptures  teach,  are  from  the 
infernal  abyss,  and  are  of  the  dragon  and  the  beast,  (Rev.  9, 
13,  17,)  who  mislead  so  many  miserable  souls  by  their  seducing 
doctrines,  Babylonian  sorcery,  and  hyjjocritical  lives,  and  not 
only  despise,  but  persecute,  crucify  and  kill  Christ — the  right- 
eous Moses  and  Aaron.  Moses,  the  faithful  servant  of  God, 
could  not  enter  the  promised  land,  only  because  he  was  once 
faint-hearted,  and  doubted  the  word  of  the  Lord,  (Num.  4;) 
how  much  less  shall  this  unbelieving,  faithless,  perverted, 
stiff-necked  generation,  enter  the  eternal  promised  land  of 
glory,  who  not  only  disbelieve,  but  despise  the  word  of  the 
Lord — the  delightful  gospel  of  Christ.  They  hate  it  bitterly 
and  persecute  it;  trample  the  blood  of  Christ  under  foot,  stop 
their  ears  against  the  truth,  and  refuse  to  be  taught  by  any 
means,  either  by  truth  or  the  unblamable  lives  of  the  saints, 
or  by  the  innocent  blood  of  the  worthy  witnesses  of  Jesus, 
which  has  been  shed,  and,  in  many  countries,  flowed  like 
water. 

O  ye  miserable  men,  who  commit  so  much  evil,  and  are  such 
loathsome  objects  before  God,  take  heed  to  the  word  of  the 
Lord.  Cleanse  yourselves,  purify  your  hands  and  unbelieving 
hearts,  and  do  not  longer  despise  God's  grace  with  your  vain 
boastings,  and  say  not,  Abraham  is  your  father,  (James  4;)  oi;^ 
that  you  are  children  of  God,  that  Christ  died  for  you;  that 
you  trust  in  his  mercy.  Trust  not  to  lies,  says  Jeremiah  the 
prophet.  Say  not,  here  is  the  temple  of  the  Lord,  the  temple  of 
the  Lord,  the  temple  of  the  Lord,  for  it  avails  nothing  that 
Christ  died,  and  that  we  are  called  by  his  name,  if  we  do  not 
possess  a  sincere  and  powerful  faith  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  exer- 
cise unfeigned  love  and  lead  an  obedient,  pious,  unblamable 
life.  God's  mercy,  says  the  scriptures,  is  towards  his  saints, 
and  his  care  is  over  his  chosen.  (Wisd.  4.)  The  hope  of  the 
wicked  is  in  vain,  (Wisd.  5. )  The  eyes  of  the  Lord  are  upon 
the  righteous,  and  his  ears  are  open  to  their  cry,  (Ps.  33;  1 
Pet.  3;)  Ye  are  my  friends,  saith  Christ,  if  you  do  whatever  I 
command  you,  (John  15.)  Therefore  we  pray  and  exhort  you 
again  to  reform  yourselves.  He  is  the  same  unchangeable 
God.  (Math.  3;  James  1.)  He  is  a  strict,  jealous,  and  rigid  pun- 
isher  of  all  wickedness,  yea,  a  righteous  judge  of  all  ungodli- 
ness, and  every  evil  work.  He  visits  the  iniquities  of  the  fathers 
upon  the  children,  until  the  third  and  fourth  generations  of 
them  that  hate  him;  on  the  other  hand,  he  is  gracious,  kind 
and  merciful  unto  thousands  of  them  that  love  him  and  keep 
his  commandments.  (Ex.  30.)  Oh  reader,  reader,  beloved 
reader,  it  is  a  fearful  thing  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  living 


OF   FAITH.  31 

God.  (Heb,  10.)  The  time  is  fulfilled,  now  is  the  accepted 
time — now  is  the  day  of  salvation.  (Mark  2;  Cor.  6.)  The 
kingdom  of  heaven  is  at  hand;  would  you  inherit  it  and  enter 
into  it?  You  must  reform,  not  only  in  appearance,  as  the  hypo- 
crites do,  but  as  sincere  penitents,  with  all  your  heart  and  with 
all  your  powers,  and  bring  forth  good  fruit.  If  not,  you  must 
be  cut  off  and  cast  into  the  fire  of  fierce  wrath.  (Matt.  3;  Luke 
3.  John  15.)  Imo,  nisi  resipuerite  omnes  similiter,  perilites, 
(Luke  13,)  i.  e.,  unless  ye  repent,  ye  shall  all  likewise  perish. 


OF  FAITH. 


In  the  third  place,  we  teach  with  Christ,  and  say,  "Believe 
the  gospel."  (Mark  1.)  That  gospel  is  the  glad  tidings  and 
promulgation  of  God's  grace  to  us-ward,  and  of  the  forgiveness 
of  our  sins  through  Christ  Jesus.  Faith  receives  this  gospel 
through  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  does  not  look  upon  former  right- 
eousness or  unrighteousness,  but  the  believer  hopes,  (Eom.  4,) 
and  vrith  the  whole  heart  depends  upon  the  grace,  word  and 
promises  of  the  Lord.  He  knows  that  God  is  true  and  that  his 
promises  are  sure,  (Ps.  51,  14,  4,)  whereby  the  heart  is  renew- 
ed, converted,  justified,  made  pious,  peaceable  and  joyous. 
(Rom.  3,  5;  Gal.  2.)  He  is  born  a  child  of  God,  (John  1,)  ap- 
proaches wdth  full  confidence  to  the  throne  of  grace,  (Heb.  4,) 
and  thus  becomes  a  joint  heir  with  Christ,  a  possessor  of  eter- 
nal life.     (John  7;  Rom.  8;  1  Tim.  1.) 

Believers  awaken  tn  time.  They  hear  and  believe  the  word 
of  the  Lord.  They  weep  over  their  past  unworthy  life  and 
conduct.  They  desire  medicine,  help,  and  advice  for  their  sick 
souls.  (Matt.  26.)  To  such,  Christ,  who  is  the  comforter  of  all 
troubled  hearts,  says,  "  Believe  the  gospel. "  That  is,  fear  not; 
rejoice  and  be  comforted;  I  will  not  punish  you,  but  will  heal 
you,  comfort  you;  and  give  you  life.  (Isa.  41.)  A  bruised  reed 
I  will  not  break,  and  smoking  flax  I  will  not  quench;  but  I  will 
bind  up  that  which  was  broken,  and  will  strengthen  that  which 
was  weak,  I  will  seek  for  what  was  lost.  (Ezek.  24;  Matt.  11.) 
For  I  came  not  to  call  the  righteous,  but  sinners  to  repentance. 
(Matt.  9;  Luke  2;  John  1;  1  John  1.)  According  to  the  good 
pleasure  of  my  heavenly  Father,  I  came  into  the  world,  and  by 
the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  I  became  a  visible,  tangible  and 
dying  man;  in  all  points  like  unto  you,  sin  excepted.  (Heb.  4; 
Luke  2;  Phil.  2.)  I  was  born  of  Mary  the  spotless  virgin;  I 
came  down  from  heaven,  proceeded  from  the  mouth  of  the  Most 


80  OF  FAITH. 

High  ;  am  the  first  born  of  every  creature;  the  first  and  the 
last;  the  begmning  and  the  end,  (Eccle.  24;  Col.  3;  Rev.  1, 
21;)  I  am  the  Son  of  the  Almighty  God;  (Matt.  16,)  anointed 
vrith  the  Holy  Ghost  to  preach  the  gospel  to  the  poor,  and  to 
bind  up  the  broken  hearted,  (Isa.  61;  Luke  4,)  to  proclaim 
liberty  to  the  captives;  to  give  sight  to  the  blind;  to  set  at 
liberty  the  prisoners  and  to  preach  the  acceptable  year  of  the 
Lord.  Believe  the  gospel.  I  am  the  Lamb  that  was  offered 
for  you  all.  I  take  away  the  sins  of  the  whole  world.  My 
Father  has  made  me  unto  you  wisdom,  sanctification  and  re- 
demption, (Exodus  5;  1  Cor.  5;  John  1;  1  Cor.  1;  Isa.  28; 
Rom.  6,  10;)  those  who  believe  on  me  shall  not  be  made 
ashamed;  yea,  all  that  believe  that  I  am  he  shall  have  eternal 
life.  (John  3.)  Behold,  beloved,  all  who  believe  this,  are 
those  of  whom  the  scriptures  say,  to  them  gave  he  power  to  be- 
come the  sons  of  God,  even  to  them  that  believe  on  his  name, 
which  are  born,  not  of  blood,  nor  of  the  will  of  the  flesh,  nor  of 
the  will  of  man,  but  of  God,  (John  1 :  12, 13. )  These  are  they  who 
are  justified  by  faith  andhave  peace  with  God,  through  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  through  whom  we  have  obtained  this  grace,  that 
we  can  boast  of  the  hope  of  the  glory  of  God.  (Rom.  5.)  And 
this,  as  Paul  says,  is  all  of  grace  and  love ;  for  all  are  sinners 
and  have  come  short  of  the  glory  of  God.  Being  freely  justi- 
fied by  grace  through  the  redemption  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus, 
whom  God  hath  set  forth  to  be  a  propitiation,  through  faith  in 
his  blood,  &c.  (Rom.  3.)  There  is  none  that  can  boast  of  this 
faith — that  he  is  saved  of  himself ;  for  it  is  the  gift  of  God. 
(Eph.  2.)  All  who  receive  faith  from  God,  receive,  as  it  were, 
a  tree  full  of  all  manner  of  suitable  fruit.  Happy  they  who  re- 
ceive this  gift  of  God,  for  it  is  more  precious  than  silver  or  gold, 
or  gems— it  is  incomparable.  He  that  obtains  it,  obtains  Christ 
Jesus,  forgiveness  of  sins,  a  new  mind,  and  eternal  life.  True 
faith,  which  is  acceptable  to  God,  is  not  dead.  It  brings  forth 
fruit,  and  so  manifests  its  nature.  It  is  even  fruitfid  in  charity, 
it  works  and  wills  righteousness;  it  mortifies  the  flesh;  it  cru- 
cifies lust  and  sinful  desires;  it  rejoices  in  the  cross  of  Christ; 
is  renewed  and  regenerated;  it  quickeneth,  it  makes  holy  and 
joyful  in  Christ  Jesus.  Such  a  faith,  we  say,  is  the  gift  of  God, 
(Rom.  1,)  by  which,  according  to  the  scriptures,  the  righteous 
are  to  live,  as  did  Abel,  Enoch,  Noah,  Abraham,  Moses,  Rahab 
and  all  the  saints.  (Heb.  11.)  Every  good  tree  bringeth  forth 
good  fruit.  (Gal.  3;  Heb.  10.)  And  every  tree  which  bringeth 
not  forth  good  fruit,  although  in  full  and  verdant  foliage,  must 
be  accursed  and  consumed  by  fire.  (Matt.  3,  21;  Mark  1,  6; 
Luke  3.)  And  thus,  also,  a  fruitless,  powerless  faith,  such  as 
is  possessed  by  the  world,  and  is  not  operative  in  love,  be  it 
ever  so  learned,  and  wise,  and  eloquent,  and  imposing  and  mi- 


SUPPLICATION   TO  THE  MAGISTRACY.  33 

raculous,  still  it  is  in  the  sight  of  God,  unclean,  dead,  and 
cursed.     (Matt.  6;  1  Cor.  13;  James  2.) 

Therefore,  we  exhort  you  with  Christ  Jesus,  believe  the  Gos- 
pel;  that  is,  believe  the  joyful  news — the  message  of  divine 
grace,  througli  Jesus  Christ.  Leave  oif  sinning,  manifest  re- 
pentance, mourn  for  your  past  life,  submit  to  the  word  and 
will  of  the  Lord,  then  you  will  become  joint-heirs  and  children 
of  the  new  and  heavenly  Jerusalem,  and  be  freed  from  your 
enemies,  hell,  the  devil,  sin  and  death.  Walk  according  to  the 
spirit  and  not  according  to  the  flesh.  (Rom.  8. J  Quid  credits 
filio  Dei  luibet  vitam  ceternam^  i.  e.,  he  that  believeth  on  the  Son 
of  God  hath  eternal  life. 


SUPPLICATION  TO  THE  MAGISTRACY. 

We,  poor  wretched  men,  forsaken  of  every  human  assistance, 
and  all  consolations,  have,  like  innocent  sheep,  without  a  shep- 
herd, become  a  prey  to  the  roaring  and  fierce  lions  of  the 
forest,  and  the  devouring  beasts  of  the  field;  to  the  world  we 
have  become  a  spectacle  and  a  reproach.  (1  Cor.  4.)  We 
have  to  suifer  daily  the  oppression  of  lords  and  nobles,  the  in- 
human reviling  and  abuse  of  the  learned,  and  the  lying,  scorn- 
ing and  mockery  of  the  common  people.  We  humbly  entreat 
the  imperial  majesty,  kings,  lords,  princes  and  officers,  every 
one  in  his  station,  of  worthiness  and  highness,  by  the  deep  and 
bloody  wounds  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  you  lay  aside  all 
displeasure  and  bad  opinion  of  us,  and  reflect  with  pity  on  the 
inhuman  and  severe  trials,  misery,  wants,  crosses,  and  murder- 
ings  of  your  helpless  and  innocent  servants;  for  the  great  Lord 
before  whom  we  stand,  who  is  the  searcher  of  all  hearts,  and 
before  whose  eyes  all  things  are  revealed  (Ps.  7;  Jer.  17; 
Rom.  8;  Heb.  4,)  knows  that  we  seek  nothing  else  upon  this 
earth,  than  that  we,  with  a  good  conscience,  may  live  accord- 
ing to  his  holy  commandments,  ordinances,  word  aiid  will.  But 
there  are,  alas!  in  our  day,  some  evil  sects,  which  will  doubt- 
less be  manifested  in  due  time. 

Do,  therefore,  condescend  so  much  as  to  read  our  writings 
with  attention,  and  with  a  god-fearing  and  impartial  heart,  so 
that  you  may  know  us,  and  cease  to  deter  us  from  our  doc- 
trines, faith  and  practice,  by  persecution,  poverty,  misery  and 
death.  Be  pleased,  therefore,  to  examine  more  deeply  into  the 
truth — and  be  no  longer  guilty  of  innocent  blood. 

Show  some  natural  pity — some  humanity  towards  your  poor 
servants.     Think  not  that  we,  miserable,  forlorn  men,  are  wood 

2* 


34  SUPPLICATION   TO  THE  MAGISTRACY. 

or  stone,  but  we  are  descended  with  you,  from  one  father, 
Adam,  and  from  one  mother,  Eve,  and  are  created  by  the  same 
God.  We  have  a  common  entrance  into  this  world,  are  clothed 
with  the  same  nature,  which  desires  rest  and  peace — have  wives 
and  children  as  well  as  you,  and  are  naturally  like  all  other 
creatures  on  earth,  afraid  of  death.  • 

Therefore,  humble  yourselves  in  the  name  of  Christ,  and  save 
your  poor  souls.  Examine  our  doctrine  and  instructions,  and 
you  will  find,  through  the  grace  of  God,  that  they  are  the  pure, 
unadulterated  doctrines  of  Christ — the  holy  Word,  the  Word 
of  eternal  peace,  (xVcts20;  Eph.  2,)  the  Word  of  eternal  truth, 
the  Word  of  divine  grace,  the  Word  of  our  salvation,  (James 
1,)  the  all-conquering  Word,  against  which  the  gates  of  hell 
shall  never  prevail.  (Matt.  16.)  It  is  the  two- edged,  sword 
which  proceeded  out  of  the  mouth  of  the  Lord,  )Rev.  1,) — the 
sword  of  the  spirit  by  which  all  living  ui^on  the  earth  are  to  be 
judged.     CEph.  6.) 

Oh,  ye  beloved  sh's,  put  your  swords  into  the  sheath;  for  as 
true  as  the  Lord  lives,  you  do  not  fight  against  fiesh  and  blood, 
but  against  him  -who  has  eyes  like  a  fiame  of  fire;  (Rev.  1;) 
who  dispenses  justice,  and  makes  war  in  righteousness:  who 
is  cro^Aaied  with  many  crowns,  whose  name  no  one  knows  but 
himself,  who  is  clothed  with  a  vesture  dipped  in  blood;  whose 
name  is  called  the  Word  op  God;  who  rules  the  nations  with 
a  rod  of  iron;  who  treads  the  wine-press  of  the  fierce  wrath  of 
Almighty  God;  who  has  a  name  written  upon  his  vesture  and 
on  his  thigh,  THE  KING  OF  KINGS  AND  LORD  OF 
LORDS.     (Rev.  19.) 

Oh  ye  high  renowned  lords  and  princes,  it  is  against  this 
Being  you  are  contending  and  taking  such  a  stand  with  your 
counsel  and  sword.  Remember  what  the  great  prophet  (Zach. 
2)  said  concerning  the  children  of  God,  who  are  suffering  here: 
He  that  toucheth  you  toucheth  the  apple  of  mine  eye.  It  is  a 
dreadful  abomination,  mad  wickedness,  and  insanity,  so  miser- 
ably to  slay,  to  destroy  and  exterminate  those  who  Avith  such 
warm  hearts,  seek  the  Lord  and  eternal  life,  and  who  would  not 
molest  any  one  upon  earth.  The  death  of  the  righteous,  saith 
David,  (Ps.  16,)  is  precious  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord.  It  is 
Jesus  of  Nazareth  whom  ye  persecute,  (x\.cts9,)  and  not  us. 
Therefore  waken,  desist,  fear  God  and  his  word,  for  you  and 
we  will  all  be  summoned  to  appear  before  one  Judge,  before 
whom  all  are  on  a  level — there  is  no  distinction  there;  neither 
power,  exaltation,  fair  speeches,  nor  talents  will  there  avail. 
Judgment  is  there  passed  impartially  and  without  respect  to 
persons — and  there  the  oppressed  will  have  justice  done  him, 
and  then  the  murdered  Jesus,  with  all  his  elect,  will  enter  into 
his  promised  inheritance— his  kingdom  and  glory,  and  be  be- 


SUPPLICATION   TO  THE  MAGISTRACY.  35 

yond  the  power  of  death,  and  the  reach  of  tyrant's  cruel  hands. 
Seeing  then,  that  you  deal  so  unjustly  and  tyrannically,  ac- 
cording to  the  evil  intentions  of  your  wicked  hearts,  without 
the  sanction  of  scripture,  with  the  helpless  and  godly,  how 
can  you  expect  any  favor  and  mercy  in  the  day  of  the  Lord, 
when  we  will  all  have  to  stand  before  the  impartial  judgment 
seat;  where  every  one  will  receive  according  to  his  deeds. 
(James  1;  Rom.  i4;  2  Cor.  5.) 

We  desire  not  this  favor  as  the  evil  doers  of  this  M^orld ;  for 
we  have  not  sinned  in  our  doctrine,  faith  and  practice,  although 
we  have  to  sulfer  so  much,  but  we,  only  with  the  word  of  the 
Lord,  as  the  scriptures  direct  us,  resist  anti-christian  doctrines, 
ordinances,  and  evil  courses  of  life.  We  resist  neither  the 
emperor,  nor  the  king,  nor  any  authority  to  which  they  are 
called  of  God,  but  we  arc  ready  to  obey  till  death,  in  all  things 
not  contrary  to  God  and  his  word.  (Matt.  17,  22;  Rom.  13; 
Tit.  3;  Pet.  1.)  And  we  very  Avell  know  Avhat  the  scriptures 
teach  and  commar»d  us,  concerning  this.  But  we  desire  so 
much  mercy  as  that  we  may,  under  your  gracious  protection, 
teach,  act  and  serve  the  Lord,  according  to  the  dictates  of  our 
consciences,  so  that  to  you  and  many  with  you,  the  gospel  of 
Christ  may  be  rightly  preached,  and  the  gate  of  life  opened. 
Alas  I  had  only  the  learned  the  word  of  God,  and  not  we,  how 
gladly  would  we  be  taught  by  them.  But  since  we  have  it, 
and  they  not,  we  therefore  ])ray,  tor  Jesus'  sake,  do  not  urge 
us  to  leave  Christ,  and  join  Antichrist!  to  go  from  truth  to 
error — from  life  to  certain  death.     (Wisd.  6.) 

Oh,  ye  high  renowned  lords  and  princes,  who  are  appointed 
by  God,  to  be  heads  and  rulers  of  the  people,  consider  well  and 
believe  the  word  of  the  Lord :  for  if  you  will  not  desist  from 
unrighteousness,  and  fear  God  and  do  right,  it  would  be  l^etter 
for  you  if  you  had  never  been  born.  The  innocent  blood  of 
Abel  calls  unto  heaven,  (Gen.  4)  and  will  be  demanded  at  your 
hands  at  the  last  day.  Again  we  say,  awake,  fear  God's  word; 
for  God  the  Lord  himself  will  rule  in  heaven,  his  kingdom, 
and  in  the  thoughts  and  consciences  of  men,  (Isa.  14.)  He 
will  permit  none  to  detract  from  his  glory,  or  attempt  to  be- 
come exalted  above  him.  Lucifer,  the  fair  angel  of  God,  de- 
sired to  exalt  himself  to  the  Most  High,  but  was  cast  down 
from  heaven  into  the  abyss  of  hell,  and  is  retained  in  chains  of 
darkness  till  the  judgment  of  the  last  day.  (Rev.  12;  3  Pet.  2; 
Jude  1.) 

Beloved  sire;,  receive  it  in  love,  and  be  not  offended,  for  the 
truth  must  bo  made  known.  Your  pride  has  arisen  to  heaven; 
this  you  will  lind  to  be  true  if  you  look  at  Christ,  and  his 
word,  his  example  and  life.  The  ahnighty.  and  everlasting 
Father,  through  his  eternal  wisdom,  Jesus  Christ,  has  given 


36  SUPPLICATION   TO   THE  MAGISTRACY. 

ordinances,  and  commands,  in  his  kingdom,  which  is  his 
church,  about  doctrines,  sacrament,  &c.  But  you,  through 
the  counsel  and  instigation  of  tlie  learned,  have  changed  these, 
and  resorted  to  persecution  and  extermination,  l>y  your  inhu- 
man mandates,  as  if  the  almighty  and  everlasting  Word  were 
to  yield  to  your  authority;  and  as  if  the  divine  ordinances  of 
the  Son  of  God,  might  be  improved  into  a  more  suitalile  form, 
and  made  to  answer  a  better  purpose,  through  the  Avisdom  of 
men.  Oh  presumption  of  presumption!  oh  madness  of  all 
madness!  why  exalt  thyself,  O  eartli  and  dust!  Acknowledge 
Christ  Jesus  as  your  chief  Lord,  who,  of  God,  is  made  to  you 
a  Prince  and  a  Judge.  (Eccl.  10.)  The  heavens  are  the 
Lord's,  saith  David,  but  the  earth  ho  gave  to  the  children  of 
men.  (Eph.  1;  Col.  2.)  If  any  one  were  to  rise  up  against 
the  earthly  emperor  or  king,  and  enter  upon  the  kingdom  and 
government,  he  would  not  be  borne  patiently,  nor  go  unpun- 
ished; much  less  will  it  be  left  unpumshed,  when  an  army  of 
earthly  flesh  rises  against  the  emperor  and  king,  Christ  Jesus, 
to  dethrone  hini  from  the  seat  of  his  divine  majesty,  and  to 
rob  him  of  his  sceptre  and  his  crov/n,  as  though  Christ,  the 
eternal  Wisdom  of  God,  were  unreasonable  and  unfit  for  the 
heavenly  government.  Retiect  what  befel  the  htfiighty  and 
proud  hearts  Avho  were  for  erecting  their  seats  near  the  throne 
of  God. 

Therefore,  humble  yourselves  under  the  Almighty  hand  of 
God,  as  Peter  teaches,  (1  Pet.  5)  and  take  the  prosperous, 
great  king,  Nebuchadnezzar,  as  an  example,  (Dan.  3,  4;)  and 
observe  how  grievously  he  was  punished  by  God,  on  account 
of  his  pride;  and  how,  after  being  punished,  he  turned  his 
heart  to  wisdom,  and  feared  the  Almighty;  he  praised  his 
works  and  adorable  name. 

Beloved,  awaken  and  mend  your  wa.ys,  for  it  does  not  become 
the  creature  to  rise  up  against  the  Creator.  Christ  will  7iim- 
selfhe  the  head  of  his  church — the  only  teacher  in  his  school — 
the  only  king  who  will  judge  his  kingdom — not  with  the 
doctrines  and  commancs  of  men,  nor  with  slaying  and  mur- 
dering, but  with  his  holy  spirit,  his  povrer,  his  grace,  and  his 
word. 

Therefore,  we  pray  you,  O  you  great  ones  of  the  earth. 
whom  we,  through  the  mercy  of  God,  acknowledge  in  all  tem- 
poral things  before  our  gracious  Lord,  that  you  would  not 
grieve  the  eternal  almighty  king,  Christ  Jesus,  who  has  been 
ordained  by  his  Father  as  the  only  Lord  and  Saviour  of  our 
indigent  souls;  and  that  you  perform  the  duties  of  your  ofiice 
in  temporal  government,  to  which  you  have  been  called.  We 
do  with  all  our  hearts,  desire  to  render  Caesar  the  things  of 
Caesar,  and  to  God  the  things  that  are  God's.     (Matt.  23.) 


CONCERNING  BAPTISM.  37 

Be  pleased  to  consider  well,  this,  our  doctrine  and  instruction, 
concerning  baptism,  and  the  Lord's  supper,  and  the  shunning 
of  Babylonian  deeds;  and  compare  it  with  the  word  of  the 
Lord,  We  hope,  through  the  grace  of  God,  you  will  find  in 
truth  that  we  believe  and  teach  nothing  else,  than  what  the 
true  oracle  of  the  Lord  has  commanded  us,  and  his  holy  apos- 
tles have  testified.  To  this  end,  may  the  great  Lord  grant  you 
his  grace.     Amen. 


CONCEKNING  BAPTISM. 

Christ,  after  his  resurrection,  commanded  his  apostles  saying. 
Go  ye  therefore,  and  teach  all  nations,  baptizing  them  in  the 
name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost; 
teaching  them  to  observe  all  things  whatsoever  I  have  com- 
manded you,  and  lo,  I  am  with  you  always,  even  unto  the  end 
of  the  world.     (Matt.  28.) 

Here  we  have  the  Lord's  command  concerning  baptism,  when 
and  how  it  shall  be  administered  after  God's  ordinance;  namely, 
that  tlie  gospel  muet  first  be  preached  and  then  those  bap- 
tized who  believe  therein.  Christ  says,  "  Go  j-e  into  all  the 
world  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature.  He  that 
believeth  and  is  baptized  shall  be  saved,  but  he  that  believeth 
not,  shall  be  damned."  (Mark  16.)  Thus  hath  the  Lord 
commanded  and  ordered,  therefore,  let  nothing  else  be  taught 
or  practised  forever.  (1  Cor.  3.)  God's  word  abides  forever. 
(Isa.  40;  1  Pet.  1.)  Young  children  are  without  understanding 
and  cannot  be  taught,  therefore,  no  baptism  can  be  adminis- 
tered to  them,  without  perverting  the  ordinance  of  the  Lord, 
misusing  his  high  name,  and  doing  violence  to  his  holy  word. 
In  the  New  Testament  there  are  no  ceremonies  commanding 
children,  for  it  treats,  both  in  doctrines  and  sacraments,  with 
those  who  have  ears  to  hear  and  hearts  to  understand,  (Matt. 
13;  Mark  4;  Luke  8.) 

As  Christ  commanded,  so  the  holy  ai^ostles  taught  and  prac- 
tised, as  may  be  perceived  in  mstny  parts  of  the  New  Testa- 
ment. Thus  Peter  said.  Repent  and  be  baptized  in  the  name 
of  Christ  for  the  forgiveness  of  sins,  so  shall  ye  receive  the 
gift  of  the  holy  ghost.  Again,  Philip  said  to  the  Eunuch,  "  If 
thou  believest  with  all  thine  heart,  thou  mayest  be  baptized," 
(Acts  8.)  Here  faitli  followed  not  baptism,  but  baptism  fol- 
lowed faith,     (:Matt,  28;  Mark  IG;  Eph.  5;  Heb.  6.) 

Thus  has  Christ  commanded  baptism,  and  received  it  him- 
self, according  to  the  following  manner:  when  the  time  had 


38  concekninct  baptism. 

come,  and  the  hour  had  approached,  in  Avhich  he  was  to  exe- 
cute his  enjoined  commission,  to  preach  the  word,  and  make 
known  his  Father's  holy  name,  he  went  to  John,  to  the  Jordan 
and  was  baptized  by  him,  tliathe  might  fulfil  all  righteousness. 
He  prepared  himself  to  meet  temptation,  misery,  the  cross  and 
death.  And  as  a  willing,  obedient  child,  he  resigned  himself 
to  his  father's  will;  he  himself  said,  that  he  did  not  come  to  do 
his  will,  but  the  will  of  him  that  sent  Hini.  (John  6.)  He  was 
baptized  by  John,  attested  to  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  acknow- 
ledged by  the  Father,  as  a  beloved  son.     (Matt.  3.) 

Behold,  thus  Christ  commands,  and  was  himself  baptized; 
and  thus  the  apostles  taught  and  practised.  Who  will  rise  up 
against  the  Lord,  and  say,  it  shall  not  be  so.?  Who  will  teach 
and  instruct  Wisdom?  Who  will  charge  the  ajjostles  and  evan- 
gelists with  falsehood?  It  Avould  be  altogether  unbecoming 
for  a  child  to  command  and  judge  his  father,  or  a  servant  his 
master,  and  it  is  much  more  improper  for  the  creature  to 
oppose  the  Creator.  But  now  it  is  manifest  that  the  world 
with  its  unprofitable  doctrines  and  commandments  of  men — 
with  its  anti-christian  customs,  long-standing  usages,  its  tyran- 
nical, murdering  sword,  judges  over  Christ  and  his  word. 
Christ's  truths  are  esteemed  lies;  his  wisdom,  foolishness;  his 
light,  darkness;  and  his  gospel  perverted  and  false.  In  short, 
Christ  must  be  silent  and  sulfer. 

Now  it  may  probably  be  said,  that  a  command  of  this  kind 
was  necessary  in  the  beginning  of  the  gospel,  for  at  that  time 
there  were  no  believers  whose  children  might  be  baptized; 
But  if  the  parents  are  believers,  their  children  then  are  also 
baptized,  even  as  Abraham,  when  lie  believed,  circumcised 
his  children.  (Gen.  17.)  Oh  no!  this  does  not  follow.  Although 
Abraham  believed  God,  only  one-half  of  his  seed  was  circum- 
cised, namely,  the  male  children,  and  not  the  females,  though 
he  was  the  father  of  the  female,  as  well  as  the  male  children: 
of  which,  in  the  replication,  by  the  grace  of  God,  more  shall 
be  said. 

In  the  beginning  the  gospel  was  to  be  preached,  and  faith 
followed  hearing,  and  baptism  followed  faith;  this  is  incontro- 
vertible, for  so  the  scriptures  teach.  (Rom.  10;  Mark  16.,) 
That  believers'  children  shoifld  be  baptized  because  Abraham's 
children  were  circumcised  (Gen.  14,)  cannot  be  supported  by 
scripture;  but  if  it  could  be  established,  though  it  cannot,  but 
few,  would  tlien  be  baptized,  for  the  number  of  true  believers, 
it  is  to  be  lamented,  is  very  small.  They  are  not  all  christians 
who  are  so  called.  But  those  only  who  have  the  spirit  of  Christ, 
are  true  christians;  and  I  know  not  where  many  are  to  be 
found.  Yea,  all  who  with  Abel  bring  an  acceptable  offering; 
those  who  are  born  with  Isaac  of  the  free  woman,  and  with 


CONCERNING  BAPTISM.  39 

Jacob,  have  the  birth-right,  and  have  obtained  the  paternal 
blessing,  must  be  slain  by  Cain,  mocked  by  Ishmael,  and  hated 
by  Esau,  (Gen.  25,  27;  .John  3;  Gal.  4)  even  as  we  hear  and 
see  on  all  sides — may  God  effect  a  change  for  the  better. 

This  is  the  word  and  will  of  the  Lord,  that  all  who  hear  and 
believe,  be  baptized,  (as  above  stated)  in  order  to  profess  their 
faith,  and  declare  that  they  will  henceforth  not  live  according 
to  their  own  will,  but  according  to  the  will  of  God,  (2  Cor.  6. ) 
That  for  the  testimony  of  Jesus  they  are  ready  to  forsake  their 
lives  and  property,  and  to  suffer  hunger,  affliction,  persecution, 
the  cross  and  death ;  yea,  they  desire  to  subdue  the  tiesh  with 
its  lusts,  and  arise  with  Christ,  even  as  Paul  says,  know  ye 
that  all  who  are  baptized  with  Christ  are  baptized  unto  his 
death.  (Col.  2.)  We  are  buried  with  him,  by  baptism,  into 
death;  that,  like  as  Christ  was  raised  up  from  the  dead,  by  the 
power  of  the  father,  even  so  we  also  should  walk  in  newness 
of  life.     (Rom.  6.) 

Beloved  reader,  take  heed  to  the  word  of  the  Lord,  for  this 
also  Paul  teaches,  (Gal.  1,)  who  received  not  his  gospel  of  men, 
but  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  himself;  even  as  Christ  died  and 
was  buried,  so  also  ought  we  to  die  unto  our  sins,  and  be  buried 
with  Christ  in  baptism;  we  are  not  to  do  this  after  we  have 
been  baptized,  but  we  must  commence  the  work  beforehand. 
For  if  we  have  been  planted  together  in  the  likeness  of  his 
death,  we  shall  be  also  in  the  likeness  of  his  resurrection: 
knowing  this  that  our  old  man  is  crucified  with  him,  that  the 
body  of  sin  might  be  destroyed,  that  henceforth  we  should  not 
serve  sin.  For  he  that  is  dead,  is  freed  from  sin.  Now  if  we 
be  dead  witli  Christ,  we  believe  that  Ave  shall  also  live  with 
him — knowing  that  (Whilst  being  raised  from  the  dead,  dieth  no 
more;  death  hath  no  more  dominion  over  him;  for  in  that  he 
died,  he  died  unto  sin  once;  but  in  that  he  livetli,  he  livetli  unto 
God.     (Kom.  G.) 

^  Think  not,  that  by  dying  unto  sin,  we  teach  that  christians 
are  to  become  insensible  to  sin.  By  no  means;  but  they  die 
so  unto  sin  as  to  be  no  longer  under  its  dominion;  thus  Paul 
says:  Let  not  sin  reign  in  your  mortal  bodies,  &c.  John  says 
whosoever  is  born  of  God,  doth  not  commit  sin;  for  his  seed 
remaineth  in  him;  and  he  cannot  sin  because  he  is  born  of  God. 
(1  John  3,  5.) 

Even  so,  the  death  of  the  Lord  would  not  have  profited  us, 
had  he  not  risen  from  the  power  of  death  to  the  praise  of  his 
Father.  Neither  would  it  avail  us  anything  to  bury  our  sins  in 
baptism,  if  we  do  not  arise  with  Christ  Jesus,  from  the  power 
of  sin,  unto  a  new  life,  to  the  ijraise  of  the  Lord.  That  Christ 
died,  he  died  once  unto  sin,  says  Paul,  but  that  he  lives  unto 
God.    Likewise,  reckon  ye  also  yourselves  to  be  dead  indeed 


40  CONCERNING  BAPTISM. 

unto  sin,  but  alive  unto  God,  tlirough  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 
For  as  ye  have  yielded  your  members  servants  unto  uncleanness, 
and  to  iniquity,  unto  iniquity;  even  so,  now  yield  your  members 
servants  unto  righteousness  and  true  holiness,  and  the  end  is 
everlasting  life.     (Rom.  6.) 

Here  observe,  sensible  reader;  you  who  desire  to  know  the 
truth,  and  seek  your  soul's  salvation,  what  the  great  and  holy 
apostle  Paul  has  taught  you  here.  If  you  believe  his  word, 
doctrine  and  testimony  to  be  true,  you  will  readily  perceive, 
from  these  instructions,  and  from  many  other  passages  in 
scripture,  that  baptism  is  no  more  serviceable  to  children,  than 
circumcision  was  for  the  Israelite  females.  We  are  no  more  to 
baptize  children  than  Israel  was  to  circumcise  female  children. 
And  it  is  impossible  for  little  children  to  die  to  sin  so  long  as 
they  have  not  been  alive  to  it;  and  thoy  cannot  rise  to  a  new  life, 
as  long  as  they  are  not  born  of  God  through  faith,  and  by  the 
spirit  of  God  led  into  righteousness;  and  therefore  beware,  for 
the  intent  of  baptism  is  to  bury  sin  and  to  rise  with  Christ  into 
a  new  life,  which  can,  by  no  means,  be  the  case  with  young 
children ;  therefore  look  well  into  the  matter,  what  the  word  of 
the  Lord  teaches  you  on  this  subject. 

Again,  Paul  calls  baptism  the  washing  of  regeneration.  Oh, 
dear  Lord,  how  lamentably  thy  holy  word  is  abused.  Is  it  not 
lamentable,  that  men  are  attempting,  notwithstanding  these 
plain  passages,  to  maintain  infant  baptism,  and  pretend  that 
infants  are  regenerated  thereby,  as  if  regeneration  were  effected 
by  simple  immersion  into  water.  Oh  no,  regeneration  is  not  a 
work  of  such  hypocrisy,  but  is  an  inward  change,  which  converts 
a  man,  by  the  power  of  God — the  working  of  faith,  from  evil  to 
good,  from  lusts  to  spirituality,  from  unrighteousness  to  right- 
eousness, out  of  Adam  into  Christ;  this  can  by  no  means  take 
place  with  little  children.  The  regenerated  live  by  the  power 
of  the  new  principle,  they  mortify  "the  flesh,  with  its  evil  lusts; 
they  put  off  the  old  man  with  his  deeds  ;  they  avoid  every  aiv 
pearance  of  evil;  they  are  taught,  governed  and  influenced  by 
the  Holy  Ghost,  <fcc.  (Hab.  2;  Rom.  1.)  This  is  true  regenera- 
tion, and  its  fruits  of  which  the  scriptures  speak;  it  comes  by 
faith  in  the  word  of  God  (1  Pet.  1;  1  Cor.  4;  James  1,)  without 
which  no  one  can  be  saved,  who  has  arrived  to  the  years  of 
understanding;  for  Christ  says,  verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  you, 
except  a  man  be  born  again  he  cannot  enter  into  the  kingdom  of 
God  (John  3. )  Yea,  it  is  all  in  vain,  if  one  vrere  baptized  by 
Peter  or  Paul,  or  Christ,  himself,  if  he  be  not  baptized  from 
above  with  the  Holy  Ghost  and  with  fire.  (Matt.  3;  Luke  3;  2 
Cor.  5.)  Paul  says,  in  Christ  Jesus  neither  circumcision  nor 
uncircumcision  availeth  any  thing,  but  a  new  creature.  All  who 
are  thus  born  of  God,  are  changed  and  renewed  in  the  inner  man 


CONCEKNING  BAPTISM-  41 

— translated  from  Adam  into  Christ,  and  are  ready  to  obey  the 
word  of  the  Lord,  and  say  with  holy  Paul :  Lord,  what  wilt 
thou  that  we  should  do?  Such  deny  themselves  with  all  their 
minds  and  hearts — they  submit  themselves  to  the  word  and 
ordinances  of  the  Lord,  without  dislike  or  gain-saying.  They 
suffer  themselves  to  be  baptized  according  to  the  commands  of 
the  Lord.  (Matt.  23 ;  Mark  1 6. )  They  manifest  themselves  to 
be  fruitful  branches  of  Christ  the  vine,  and  joint  heirs  of  the 
community  of  the  Lord.  (John  15;  1  Cor.  12.)  They  receive 
the  forgiveness  of  their  sins  and  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 
(Acts.  2.)  They  put  on  Christ,  (Gal.  3,)  and  enter  the  ark  of 
safety,  and  are  secured  from  the  dreadful  flood  of  wrath  which 
will  come  upon  the  world.  (1  Pet.  3.)  This  is  not  cftected  by 
the  power  of  the  water  or  the  sign,  but  by  the  power  of  the 
divine  word,  received  through  faith;  for  where  there  is  no  faith, 
which,  through  love  worketh  obedience,  (we  again  speak  of 
those  who  have  arrived  at  years  of  understanding, )  there  is  no 
promise.  He  that  believeth  not  the  Son,  will  not  see  life,  but 
the  wrath  of  God  abideth  upon  him.     (Gal.  5;  John  3.) 

The  Lord  commanded  Moses,  (Ex.  14,)  that  he  should  stretch 
forth  his  hand  with  a  rod  and  smite  the  sea,  and  the  waters 
would  divide.  Moses  believed  the  Lord's  word;  he  stretched 
forth  his  hand,  and  smote  the  sea  with  his  rod,  and  the  waters 
divided  and  Israel  was  redeemed;  this  was  not  effected  by  the 
rod  or  the  stroke,  but  by  the  power  of  the  divine  word,  received  by 
Moses  through  a  lively  and  sincere  faith.  (Exod.  14. )  Had  Moses 
not  believed  God's  word,  and  through  disobedience  not  smote 
the  water,  undoubtedly  oppressed  Israel  would  have  fared  ill. 
He  also  received  a  command  in  the  v/ilderness,  to  erect  a  brazen 
serpent,  so  that  when  Israel  looked  thereon,  they  might  be 
healed  of  the  bite  of  a  serpent,  (Wisd.  16,)  not  through  the 
power  of  the  image  of  the  serpent,  but  by  the  power  of  the 
divine  word  received  by  them.  (Num.  21.)  In  the  same  manner 
salvation  is  ascribed  to  scriptural  baptism,  (Mark"  16,)  the 
forgiveness  of  sins,  (Acts  2,)  the  putting  on  of  Christ,  (Gal.  3,) 
incorporating  into  the  church,  (1  Cor.  12,)  not  on  account  of  the 
water,  or  the  administered  sign,  (else  the  kingdom  of  God  would 
depend  upon  the  elements  and  the  signs)  but  on  account  of  the 
power  and  truth  of  the  divine  jiromise,  which  we  receive  in  obe- 
dience through  faith.  Those  who  trust  to  words,  elements  and 
works,  make  with  Aaron,  a  golden  calf  and  sufler  the  people  to 
commit  idolatry  and  abominations  therewith;  for,  in  Christ, 
faith  alone  avails  which  is  effectual  in  love,  (Gal.  5,)  Avliich  is 
manifested  in  the  new  creature,  and  in  the  keeping  of  the  com- 
mands of  God.     (1  Cor.  7.) 

Ye  beloved  sirs,  friends  and  brethren,  awaken  and  delay  not, 
render  the  Most  High  his  praise  and  honor,  and  give  ear  to  his 


42  CONCEKKING  BAPTISM. 

word,  for  those  who  maintain  that  the  baptism  of  ignorant 
children  is  a  .baptism  of  regeneration,  do  violence  to  the  word  of 
God;  they  gainsay  the  Holy  Ghost;  they  make  Christ  to  falsify, 
and  his  holy  apostles  to  be  false  witnesses,  for  Christ  and  his 
apostles  taught  that  regeneration  is  wrought  through  faith  and 
the  w^ord  of  God,  (John  1,  8.)  which  word  is  not  to  be  taught 
to  those  who  are  naturally  unable  to  hear  or  understand,  but 
to  the  hearing  and  rational — this  is  inconvertible,  (Matt.  13; 
Mark,  4;  Luke  8.) 

The  Holy  apostle  Peter  explains  the  same,  and  says,  that 
bajDtism  saves  us,  not  the  putting  away  of  the  filth  of  the  flesh, 
but  the  answer  of  a  good  conscience  towards  God;  (or  the  cove- 
nant of  a  good  conscience  towards  God)  by  the  resurrection  of 
Jesus  Christ,  (1  Pet.  3.) 

Here  Peter  teaches  us  how  the  inner  baptism  saves  us,. by  which 
the  inner  man  is  washed,  and  not  the  outward  baptism  by  which 
the  flesh  is  washed;  for  only  this  inward  baptism,  as  before  said, 
is  of  value  in  the  sight  of  God,  while  the  outward  baptism  fol- 
lows only  as  an  evidence  of  obedience,  which  is  of  faith;  for 
could  outward  baptism  save  wdthout  the  inner  washing,  the 
whole  scriptures  which  speak  of  the  new  man,  would  be  spoken 
and  written  to  no  purpose ;  the  kingdom  of  heaven  w^ould  be 
bound  to  elemental  water;  the  blood  of  Christ  would 'be  shed 
in  vain,  for  none  who  is  baptized  would  be  lost.  Ono,  no!  Out- 
vrard  baptism  profiteth  nothing,  as  long  as  we  are  not  inwardly 
renewed,  regenerated,  and  baptized  by  God,  Avitli  the  heavenly 
Are  and  the  Holy  Ghost.  But  if  we  are  baptized  with  the  baj^- 
tism  from  above,  we  will  be  constrained  through  the  spirit  and 
word  of  God,  by  a  good  conscience,  which  we  have  thereby; 
to  cordially  believe  in  the  merits  of  the  death  of  the  Lord  and 
in  the  power  and  benefits  of  his  resurrection;  and  henceforth, 
because  we  are  inwardly  cleansed  by  faith  and  endued  with 
spiritual  strength,  we  obediently  covenant  wdth  the  Lord, 
(through  the  outward  sign  of  baptism,  which  is  enjoined  on  all 
the  believers  in  Christ,)  even  as  the  Lord  has  covenanted  with 
us  in  his  grace,  through  his  word,  that  we  will  no  longer  live 
according  to  the  evil,  Tinclean  lusts  of  the  fl_esh,  but  walk  ac- 
cording to  the  witness  of  a  good  conscience. 

And  though  these  words  of  Peter  are  very  plain,  still  the 
learned  are  not  ashamed  to  wrest  them  into  a  foreign  signifi- 
cation, by  means  of  tlieir  plausible  comments  and  highly 
])oasted  reason.  They  do  this,  that  they  may  enjoy  the  favor 
of  the  wx.rld  and  live  at  ease,  wdthout  affliction  or  persecution. 
They  teach  that  baptism  is  a  sign  of  grace,  which,  according  to 
our  limited  understanding,  can  in  no  wise  be  established.  Our 
sign  of  grace  is  Christ  Jesus  alone,  through  whom  God's  abun- 
dant love  is  freely  dispensed  and  declared  unto  us,  (John  3,  4; 


.  CONCERNING  BAPTISM.  43 

Rom.  8.)  By  signs  he  was  gloriously  prefigured  to  the  ancient 
patriarchs,  as  by  the  coats  of  skin,  to  Adam  and  Eve;  by  the 
rainbow  to  Noah,  (Gen.  3,  9)  by  circumcision  to  Abraham, 
(Gen.  17,)  by  which  sign  they  were  assured  of  the  divine  cov- 
enant. But  we  are  only  assured  by  God  of  divine  grace  and 
peace  through  one  sign,  which  is  Christ;  the  seal  in  our  con- 
science is  the  Holy  Ghost,  (Eph.  4. )  But  baptism  is  a  sign  of 
obedience^  commanded  by  Christ,  by  which  we  testify,  when  we 
receive  it,  tliat  we  believe  the  word  of  the  Lord,  that  we  are 
sorry  for  our  former  life  and  conduct,  (Gal.  4;  Rom.  8;  Mark 
15;)  that  we  desire  to  rise  with  Christ  in  a  new  life;  and  that 
we  believe  in  the  redemption  from  sin  through  Jesus  Christ, 
(Rom.  6;  Col.  2;  Acts  2.)  Not,  my  beloved,  that  we  believe 
in  the  remission  of  sins  through  baptism — by  no  (means;  be- 
cause, by  baptism  we  cannot  obtain  faith  and  repentance, 
neither  clo  we  receive  the  forgiveness  of  sins,  nor  peace,  nor 
liberty  of  conscience,  but  we  testify  thereby  that  we  have  re- 
pented, received  pardon  and  faith  in  Christ,  as  before  said. 
But  with  the  fathers  it  was  not  thus,  for  they,  through  the 
signs,  received  assurance  and  comfort  that  the  promise  would 
be  true  and  sure.  We  have  this  assurance  in  Chri.st  alone,  in 
whom  all  the  figurative  signs  wore  completed.  We  have  it  in 
the  only  true  sign,  Christ,  but  the  fathers  had  it  in  many  figu- 
rative signs.  In  short,  had  Ave  forgiveness  of  sins  and  peace  of 
conscience,  through  outward  ceremonies  and  elements,  then 
the  REALITY  would  be  superseded  and  its  merits  made  of  no 
effect. 

Behold,  this  is  the  U'ue  basis  of  bai^tism  which  the  scrip- 
tures maintain,  and  we  teach  or  practice  none  other,  though 
all  the  gates  of  hell  exert  themselves  and  become  indignant 
thereat;  for  we  know  it  is  the  revealed  word  of  the  Lord,  and 
his  divine  ordinance,  from  which  we  dare  not  take  away,  nor 
add  thereto,  lest  we  be  found  disobedient  and  false  before  God, 
who  alone  is  the  Lord  and  God  of  our  consciences,  for  the  word 
of  the  Lord  is  pure,  he  is  a  shield  to  them  who  put  their  trust 
in  him.     (Prov.  30:  5.) 

Oh  God,  what  are  the  learned  and  highly  learned  masters  of 
this  world  doing,  who  are  so  earnestly  engaged  in  derogating 
from  God's  word  and  wisdom,  and  ingeniously  urging  their 
own  vain  reason;  but  they  will  not  prosper;  God  will  not  give 
his  honor  to  another,  for  he  is  the  Loixl,  and  there  is  none  be- 
side him.  (Lsa.  42.)  Conquering,  he  will  conquer  them.  He 
will  turn  their  wisdom  to  folly  and  their  reason  to  disgrace,  for 
he  knows  that  the  thoughtsof  the  wise  are  vain.  (1  Cor.  3; 
Ps.  93.) 

Luther  writes,  that  children  should  be  baptized  on  account 
of  their  own  faith,  and  adds:  "If  children  had  no  faith,  then 


44  CONCERNIKG  BAPTISM. 

their  baptism  would  be  blaspheming  the  sacrament,"  &c.  It 
appears  to  me  to  be  a  great  error  in  this  learned  man,  through 
whose  writings  at  first  the  Lord  effected  much  good,  that  he 
maintained  that  ignorant,  irrational  children  had  faith,  while 
the  scriptures  teach  so  plainly  that  they  know  not  good  from 
evil,  (Deut.  1.)  Yea,  they  cannot  discern  their  right  hand 
from  their  left,  (Jonah  4:  11.)  He  saith  that  faith  is  dormant  and 
concealed  in  children,  till  they  arrive  at  the  age  of  understand- 
ing. If  Luther  writes  this  as  his  sincere  opinion,  he  writes 
much  in  vain  concerning  faith  and  its  power,  but  if  he  writes 
to  please  men,  may  God  have  mercy  upon  him,  for  we  know  of 
a  truth  it  is  only  human  reason  and  the  invention  of  men;  but 
it  shall  not  make  void  the  word  and  ordinance  of  the  Lord. 
For  we  do  not  read  in  scripture  that  the  apostles  baptized  a 
single  sleeping  believer .  They  baptized  those  who  were  awake, 
and  not  the  slumbering.  Why  then  should  children  be  bap- 
tized before  they  awaken  from  their  dormant  faith,  or  even 
before  the  possession  of  such  faith  is  known  to  them? 

Bucer  does  not  thus  support  the  doctrine,  but  he  maintains 
infant  baptism  differently,  namely:  not  that  children  have 
faith,  but  that  they,  by  baptism,  may  be  added  to  the  church 
of  the  Lord,  and  instructed  in  his  word.  He  admits  that 
infant  baptism  is  not  expressly  commanded,  and  he  is  correct 
in  this.  O  Lord!  how  lamentably  they  do  err,  who  court  the 
favor  and  honor  of  men,  and  seek  not  the  favor  and  honor  of 
God.  Since  infant  baptism  is  not  expressly  commanded  by 
God,  as  he  acknowledges,  it  cannot  be  acceptable  to  the  Lord, 
et  per  consequence,  i.  e.,  and  by  consequence,  no  promise  can 
follow.  Therefore,  the  reader  should  know  that  true  Christians 
ought  not  to  be  governed  in  this  matter  by  the  opinions  and 
traditions  of  men,  but  by  the  word  and  the  ordinances  of  God. 
For  we  have  but  one  Lord  and  master  of  our  conscience,  Christ 
Jesus,  whose  word,  will,  command  and  ordinance,  we,  as  his 
willing  disciples,  are  implicitly  to  follow,  even  as  the  bride 
rejoices  greatly  to  hear  the  bridegroom's  voice.     (John  3.) 

Since  we  have  not  a  single  command  in  the  scriptures,  that 
infants  are  to  be  baptized,  or  that  the  apostles  did  practice  it; 
we  modestly  confess,  with  a  clear  conscience,  that  infant  baptism 
is  but  human  sentiment;  a  capricious  notion;  a  perversion  of 
the  ordinance  of  Christ;  a  manifest  abomination,  standing  in 
the  holy  place,  where  it  ought  properly  not  to  be.  (Matt.  24; 
Dan.  9.) 

Beloved  sirs,  how  little  the  word  of  the  Lord  is  regarded, 
which  says :  What  thing  soever  I  command  you,  observe  to  do 
it:  thou  shalt  not  add  thereto,  nor  diminish  from  it.  (Deut.  13.) 
Did  not  the  Father  testify  from  heaven  and  declare.  This  is  my 
beloved  son,  in  whom  I  am  well  pleased;  him  ye  shall  hear? 


CONCERNING  BAPTISM.  45 

(Matt.  3:  17;  Mark  9;  Matt.  28.)  Does  not  scripture  direct 
us  to  Christ?  Are  we  not  baptized  in  his  name  that  wo  should 
hear  his  voice  and  be  obedient  to  his  word?  Do  you  not  boast 
to  be  the  apostolic  church?  Why  do  you  then  depart  from 
Christ  and  adhere  to  Anti-Christ — depart  from  the  apostolic 
doctrine  and  usages,  and  maintain  the  usages  of  the  learned? 
Do  observe  how  severely  and  often  God  punished  the  opinions 
which  men  held  concerning-  holy  works  and  divine  worship, 

N.lhab  and  Abihu  died  when  oftering  strange  fire  before  the 
Lord.  Saul  had  mercy  on  Agag,  the  king  of  the  Amelekites, 
and  he  spared  the  best  sheep  and  oxeu  to  sacrifice  unto  the  Lord, 
contrary  to  the  word  of  the  prophet.  That  seemingly  act  of 
mercy  and  laudable  zeal  was  punished  as  the  sin  of  witchcraft 
and  the  iniqnity  of  idolatry,  because  he  acted  according  to  his 
own  judgment,  and  not  according  to  the  word  of  the  prophet. 
He  was  reproved  by  the  prophet — smitten  with  a  pestilence — 
his  kingdom  was  taken  from  him,  and  given  to  a  more  faithful 
one.     (1  Sam.  13.) 

Manasseh,  the  king  of  the  Jews,  and  others  in  Israel,  made 
tlieir  children  pass  through  fire — they  built  temples,  and  reared 
altars  in  many  groves,  cities  and  countries,  with  good  intentions 
(3  Kings,  21.)  For  they  were  desirous  to  honor  the  Almighty 
thereby,  as  may  be  plainly  seen  from  Isa,  36,  This  glorious 
and  holy  choice  was  so  offensive  before  God,  that  Jeremiah  re- 
fused to  intercede  for  the  people.  Israel  was  desolated,  Jer- 
usalem and  the  temple  burnt;  and  the  people  with  the  holy 
vessels  were  carried  into  a  foreign  land,  (2  Kings,  15;  2  Chron. 
3G.)  Therefore,  saith  God  by  the  prophet:  Obey  my  voice  and 
I  will  be  your  God  and  ye  shall  be  my  people;  and  walk  ye  in  all 
the  ways  that  I  have  commanded  you,  not  those  of  your  own 
choice,  that  it  may  be  well  with  you.     (Jer.  7.) 

What  advice  then,  my  beloved  friends,  in  relation  to  such 
wilful  deceivers,  who  presumptuously  do  violence  fo  the  word 
of  the  Lord,  and  so  shamefully  belie  the  Almighty,  the  most 
high  God,  in  teaching  that  their  doctrines  are  in  the  word  of 
God?  Teaching  such  things  that  He  never  did  or  will  command. 

How  awful  it  is  thus  to  sin  against  God,  to  pervert  his  holy 
and  precious  word!  Yea,  they  will  be  sorely  beaten  and  severely 
punished  of  the  Lord — they  will  not  escape  the  ire  of  his  wrath, 
if  they  do  not  repent  and  reform;  for  God  is  an  enemy  to  all 
liars.  They  have  neither  part  nor  lot  in  his  kingdom;  but 
their  portion  is  eternal  destruction,  in  the  lake  of  fire.  (2  Thes. 
2;  Rev.  21,  22.) 

In  the  second  place,  it  is  evident,  that  infant  baptism  is  an 
accursed  abomination  and  idolatry ;  for  all  those  who  are  baptized 
in  infancy  are  called  Christians  and  are  accounted  partakers  of 
the  Lord's  grace,  merits,  death  and  blood,  and  are  called  his 


46  GONCERNING  BAPTISM. 

people,  although  the  whole  course  of  their  lives  is  heathenish 
and  dissolute,  nay,  idle;  carousing,  drinking,  gaming,  whoring, 
cursing  and  swearing  arc  their  works — they  believe  that  the 
water  in  baptism  can  make  and  preserve  them  Christians.  O  no ! 
no!  Paul  positively  declares:  He  that  hath  not  the  spirit  of 
Christ  is  none  of  his.  (Rom.  8. )  Yea,  the  helpless,  innocent 
children,  though  baptized  with  the  blood  of  the  Lord,  and  having 
the  sure  promise  of  the  kingdom  of  God,  if  not  baptized  by  this 
baptism,  are  buried  without  the  grave  yard  as  accursed.  What 
infamy!  what  blindness!  We  will  say  nothing  of  godfathers, 
of  crossing  the  children,  breathing  upon  them,  sprinkling  with 
salt  water,  anointing  and  spitting  upon  them,  and  that  abom- 
inable exorcism,  all  which  is  nothing  else  than  open  blasphemy, 
and  not  commanded  by  God.  What  abominable,  detestable 
idolatry! 

In  the  third  place,  we  are  informed  by  historians,  ancient, 
and  modern,  (Matt.  28;  Mark  16,)  and  we  also  learn  from  sev- 
eral decrees,  that  baptism  was  changed  both  as  to  its  mode 
and  thne  of  administering.  In  the  beginning  of  the  holy  church 
persons  were  baptized  in  common  water  on  their  first  profes- 
sion, on  account  of  their  faith,  agreeable  to  scripture.  After- 
wards a  change  Avas  made;  tliey  were  examined  seven  times 
before  being  baptized — after  that  they  were  baptized  at  two 
stated  periods,  namely:  at  Easter  and  Whitsuntide.  Higinius, 
the  tenth  pope,  instituted  godfathers,  in  the  year  A.  D.  140. 
Luther  tells  us,  that  in  the  year  A.  D.  407,  Pope  Innocent  con- 
firmed infant  baptism  by  a  decree,  and  it  is  to  be  feared  that  it 
will  not  be  abrogated  but  at  the  expense  of  much  innocent 
blood  of  the  saints  of  God;  even  as  the  prophets  in  their  days 
reproved  the  accursed  abominations  and  idolatry  of  the  kings, 
priests  and  people,  not  by  admonition  only,  but  also  with  their 
blood,  as  we  read  in  sacred  and  profane  history. 

If  infant  baptism  was  commanded  of  God  why  did  Innocent 
add  his  decree?  Hovv^  can  baptism,  as  practised  by  the  world, 
be  right,  since  it  has  been  so  frequently  changed?  We  entreat 
you,  for  Jesus'  sake,  to  reflect,  that  Christ  Jesus,  but  not  the 
learned,  is  King  and  Lord  of  his  community;  he  rules  his 
church  v/itli  his  sceptre,  spirit  and  word.  He  is  Wisdom,  and 
none  can  instruct  him;  he  appeared  to  testify  the  truth;  they 
that  love  the  truth,  hear  his  voice,  (Matt.  11;  Eccl.  34,  Rom. 
11;  John  19;)  believe  his  word  and  not  that  of  the  learned;  for 
his  word  is  truth;  but  the  word  of  the  learned,  in  this  respect, 
is  seduction;  for  Christ  commands  that  believers  should  be 
baptized.  He  has  not  commanded  that  children  should  be 
baptized.  But  the  learned  say :  He  that  has  liis  children  not 
baptized,  (and  is  himself  baptized  upon  his  faith,  even  as  Christ 
commanded)  is  a  fanatic,  Ana-baptist  and  heretic. 


CONCERNING   BAPTISM.  47 

Now  you  know  the  principal  reasons  why  we  arc  opposed 
both  in  word  and  doctrine  to  infant  baptism,  and  resist  it  with 
all  our  powers.  For  we  well  kriow,  by  the  grace  of  God,  that 
there  is  not  one  word  in  the  scriptures  in  its  support.  We 
tell  you  the  truth  and  lie  not.  Is  there  one  under  the  canopy 
of  heaven  who  can  show  us,  by  divine  truth,  that  Jesus  Christ, 
the  son  of  Almighty  God,  the  Eternal  Yv'isdom  and  Truth,  the 
lawgiver  and  teacher  of  the  New  Testament,  has  given  a  single 
conimand  that  children  should  be  baptized;  or  that  his  holy 
apostles  ever  so  taught,  or  practiced.  If  they  did  not,  why 
urge  us  to  such  a  ceremony,  by  tyranny  and  punishment? 
Show  it  to  us  in  the  word  of  God,  and  the  difficulty  is  removed. 
For  God,  who  is  omniscient,  knows  that  in  our  weakness  we 
humbly  seek  to  wall<:  according  to  the  divine  ordinances,  word 
and  will,  for  which  we  miserable  men  are  shamefully  reviled, 
dispersed,  robbed  and  slain,  in  many  countries,  like  innocent 
sheep.  But  the  Lord  be  eternally  praised!  We  are  esteemed 
as  unworthy  of  heaven  or  earth,  even  as  Christ  said:  They 
shall  deliver  you  up  to  be  afflicted,  and  shall  kill  you;  ye  shall 
be  hated  of  all  nations  for  my  name's  sake.     (Matt.  24.) 

It  is  our  determinfttion  that  we  will  not  only  have  a  clear 
conscience  in  this  matter,  but  we  will,  in  everything  else,  to 
escape  the  wrath  of  Almighty  God,  be  not  influenced  by  lords 
and  princes,  or  be  governed  by  doctors  and  teachers,  neither 
by  the  councils  of  the  fathers,  and  long  established  customs ; 
for  in  this  matter  nothing  contrary  to  the  word  of  God,  neither 
emperors  nor  kings,  nor  doctors,  nor  licentiates,  nor  councils, 
nor  proscription  shall  stand.  We  dare  not  be  bound  to  any 
person,  pov/er,  wisdom  and  place,  but  we  must  be  governed 
alone  by  the  expressed  and  positive  commands  of  Christ,  and 
adhere,  as  said,  to  the  pure  doctrines  and  usages  of  his  holy 
apostles;  for  if  we  do  so,  we  neither  deceive  any  one,  nor  are 
we  deceived.  Alas!  woe  to  him,  woe  to  him,  who  departs 
from  this  foundation,  or  is  compelled  to  do  so,  either  through 
bodily  fear  or  care,  or  tyranny,  or  by  false  doctrine;  and  v/ill 
not  testify  unto  this  wicked  and  sinful  generation,  both  in 
word  and  deed,  of  the  word  of  his  Lord.  (Matt.  10,  16,  24; 
Mark  8;  Luke  9.) 

All  of  you  who  reject  the  word  of  God  and  persecute  his 
people,  take  particular  notice  of  this  our  doctrine,  ground  and 
belief  concerning  baptism,  which  are  in  accordance  with  the 
instructions  and  words  of  Christ,  viz:  that  we  must  first  hear 
and  believe  the  word  of  God,  and  then  bo  baptized;  we  are  not 
seditious  and  for  war;  we  do  not  approve  polygamy;  we 
neither  seek  nor  wait  for  any  kingdom  upon  earth ;  O  no !  no ! 
God  be  praised,  we  know  what  the  word  of  the  Lord  teaches 
us  on  this  subject.     (Matt.  28;  Mark  16.)     The  Lord  com- 


48  COUNTER  ARGUMENTS 

maiidcd  us  to  die  to  sin,  to  bury  them  with  Christ,  and  to  rise 
with  him  into  a  new  life,  (Rom.  6;  Col.  2,)  even,  as  baptism  is 
a  figure  thereof.  That  we  humbly  strive  to  walk  in  the  cove- 
nant of  his  grace,  and  his  eternal  peace,  and  live  upright  and 
humble  in  Christ  Jesus,  with  an  approved  conscience  before 
God,  (1  Pet.  3, )  even  as  the  mouth  of  the  Lord  has  commanded, 
as  he  has  testified  by  his  example,  as  we  are  taught  by  the  pure 
doctrines  and  practices  of  the  apostles. 


COUNTER  ARGUMENTS    WITH  THEIR 
REPLICATIONS. 

Having  briefly  noticed  the  Lord's  command  and  the  apostolic 
doctrine  and  usages  concerning  baptism,  and  its  design ;  that  it 
is  the  true,  and  will  be  the  true  baptism  to  the  end  of  time;  we 
will,  therefore,  now  call  your  attention,  by  the  grace  of  God,  to 
another  part  of  the  same  subject ;  and  answer  some  of  the  argu- 
ments which  have  been  adduced  by  the  learned  from  scripture, 
in  support  of  their  doctrine,  whereby  they  perverted  and  made 
void  the  ordinance  of  the  Lord,  and  substituted  their  own. 

In  the  first  place,  they  teach,  that  we  are  all  sinful,  and  the 
children  of  wrath,  born  of  the  sinful  seed  of  Adam,  and  there- 
fore, say  they,  children  are  to  be  baptized  in  order  to  be  puri- 
fied and  washed  from  original  sin,  &c. 

To  which  we  reply,  thus,  with  the  word  of  the  Lord:  We 
believe  and  confess  that  we  all  come  from,  and  are  born  of  un- 
clean sin;  that  we,  through  the  first  Adam,  became  wholly 
depraved,  and  children  of  death  and  of  hell.  (Rom.  5;  1  Cor.  15. ) 
Nevertlieless,  as  we  fell  and  became  sinners  in  Adam,  we  also 
confess  and  believe  that  we  were  restored  by  grace  and  justified 
through  Christ,  the  heavenly  Adam;  for  he  appeared  upon 
earth,  that  in  and  through  him  we  might  have  life.  Tlirough 
him  we  glory  to  have  obtained  grace,  favor  and  the  forgiveness 
of  our  sins  with  God  our  heavenly  Father;  and  not  through 
baptism,  whether  we  are  children  or  believers;  for  if  redemp- 
tion, and  the  washing  away  of  sins,  were  through  baptism  and 
not  by  the  blood  of  Christ  alone,  then  would  the  sweet  smelling 
sacrifice,  which  is  of  eternal  worth,  have  been  in  vain,  and  with- 
out effect,  or,  there  would  be  two  remedies  for  our  sins.  Alas, 
no!  the  scriptures  speak  but  of  one,  which  is  Christ  with  his 
merits,  death  and  blood.  (1  Pet.  1;  John;  Acts  2.)  Therefore, 
he  who  seeks  the  remission  of  his  sins  through  baptism  rejects 
the  blood  of  the  Lord  and  makes  water  his  idol.     Therefore, 


WITH   THEIR  REPLICATIONS.  49 

let  every  one  be  careful  lest  he  ascribe  the  honor  and  glory  due 
to  Christ  to  the  ceremonies  and  the  elements. 

It  is  true,  Peter  says:  (Acts  2,)  Repent  and  be  baptized 
every  one  of  you  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ,  for  the  remission 
of  sins,  &c.  But  this  is  not  to  be  understood  that  we  receive 
the  remission  of  our  sins  through  baptism.  O  no!  for  if  it  be 
so,  then  Christ  and  his  merits  must  fall.  We  receive  the  re- 
mission of  our  sins,  ill  baptism,  in  this  manner :  The  Lord  com- 
manded his  gospel  to  be  preached  to  every  creature,  so  that  all 
who  believe  and  are  baptized  may  be  saved.  Where  there  is 
faith,  which  is  called  the  gift  of  God  by  Paul,  (Eph,  1.)  there 
also  are  the  power  and  the  fruits  of  faith.  Where  there  is  an 
active,  fruitful  faith,  there  also  is  the  promise ;  but  where  such 
a  faith  does  not  exist,  (we  speak  of  adults,)  there  also  is  no 
promise.  For  he  that  hears  the  word  of  the  Lord,  and  believes 
it  with  all  his  heart,  manifests  his  fruit;  he  observes  all  things 
the  Lord  commanded  him;  for  the  scriptures  teach,  the  iust 
shall  Hve  by  faith.  (Heb.  1;  Rom.  1;  Gal.  3;  Heb.  10.)  Then 
the  remission  of  his  sins  is  preached  to  him,  as  Peter  teaches. 

Had  Noah  and  Lot  not  believed  the  word  of  the  Lord,  they 
would  have  fared  ill.  (Gen.  G,  7,  8,  17.)  Had  Abraham  not  be- 
lieved, he  would  not  have  obtained  such  glorious  promises:  but 
they  believed,  and  did  right,  and  became  heirs  of  righteousness. 
(Heb.  11.) 

Had  Moses  and  Israel  not  believed  the  word  of  the  Lord  and 
been  obedient,  how  could  they  have  been  succored  in  the  sea 
and  in  the  wilderness  ?  But  they  believed,  and  according  to  His 
promise,  were  protected  by  the  mighty  hand  of  the  Lord.  But 
those  who  provoked  Him,  and  believed  not  his  gracious  word, 
and  the  great  miracles,  fell  in  the  wilderness  and  entered  not 
the  promised  land.  (Exod.  16;  Num.  11, 14;  Ps.  94.  Heb.  3,  4.) 

There  was  also  reconciliation  connected  with  the  sacrifices  of 
the  Old  Testament,  not  on  account  of  the  worth  of  the  smoking 
offerings  upon  the  altars;  for  it  was  not  possible,  says  Paul, 
that  the  blood  of  bulls  and  goats  should  take  away  sin;  (Heb. 
10.)  Before  it  was  offered  it  was  all  the  Lord's,  and  the  cattle 
upon  a  thousand  hills  were  his,  says  David.  (Ps.  49.)  But 
because  the  righteous  believed  the  word  of  divine  promise  as 
true,  and  walked  in  obedience  to  his  command.  Thus  now  is 
the  remission  of  sins  preached  through  baptism;  not  on  account 
of  the  water,  or  the  ceremonies,  for  Christ  is  the  only  source 
of  grace.  But,  because  the  righteous  receive  the  promises  of 
the  Lord  by  faith,  and  obediently  follow  his  word  and  will. 

This  direction  does  not  extend  to  children.  For  in  all  the 
scriptures  there  is  not  a  single  command  given  to  baptize  them. 
Therefore,  it  is  not  required  of  them  as  a  sign  of  obedience. 
Since,  then,  infant  baptism  is  performed  without  the  command 


60  COUNTEK  ARGUMENTS 

of  God,  it  cannot  be  a  ceremony  of  God,  but  a  pernicious  super- 
stition of  men,  and  evidently  idolatry;  therefore,  the  promise 
of  God  cannot  be  connected  with  sucli  abominations.  It  seems 
to  me  it  is  high  time  to  awaken,  and  to  give  heed  to  the  scrip- 
tures. Sins  are  not  imputed  for  Christ's  sake  to  infants.  Life 
is  promised,  not  through  any  one  ceremony,  but  out  of  pure 
grace,  in  the  promises  of  the  Lord;  as  he  himself  says:  Suffer 
little  children  to  come  unto  me  and  forbid  them  not,  for  of  such 
is  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  (Matt.  19;  Mark  10;  Luke  18.)  But 
concerning  baptism  he  did  not  command  them  any  thing.  Ac- 
cording to  my  opinion  it  is  a  great  error,  (which  some  entertain, ) 
that  little  children  were  pleasing  to  Christ  on  account  of  cir- 
cumcision ;  and  that  ours,  on  account  of  baptism,  are  also 
pleasing  to  him.  O  blasphemy!  In  every  instance,  (Christ,  the 
only  medium  of  divine  grace,  must  be  set  aside,  and  grace  be 
attributed  to  the  rites  and  elements.  Here  I  would  ask  all  the 
Pedo-baptists,  how  they  are  going  to  prove  that  these  blessed 
children  were  all  circumcised — and  that  there  were  not  among 
them  female  children?  Were  they  acceptable  on  account  of 
circumcision,  as  they  pretend,  and  why  not  adults,  who  were 
circumcised?  Although  they  were  circumcised,  he  commanded 
that  adults  should  be  baptized  upon  their  faith;  but  concern- 
ing children  he  did  not  command  that  they  should  at  all  be 
baptized.  He  took  them  into  his  arms,  laid  his  hands  upon 
them  and  blessed  them;  promised  them  the  kingdom,  and 
dismissed  them,  but  did  not  baptize  them. 

Thus  did  the  wisdom  of  God  himself ;  but  the  world  would 
be  his  teacher.  Christ  does  not  command  that  infants,  but  that 
adults  should  be  baptized.  What  is  more  abominable,  if  any 
one  is  baptized  on  believing,  because  the  Lord  commanded  him 
to  do  so,  and  for  conscience  sake  has  not  his  children  bap- 
tized, because  the  word  of  God  does  not  command  it,  he  must, 
alas!  have  reproachful  epithets  applied  to  him  by  every  one; 
and  in  addition,  he  may  expect  torture,  misery  and  death.  And 
this  persecution  is  not  to  be  attributed  so  much  to  the  rulers, 
as  to  those  who  are  esteemed  learned,  for  what  the  rulers  do 
they  do  generally  by  the  counsel  of  the  learned.  By  their 
fruits  they  show  who  is  their  father,  for  they  do  his  works.  It 
seems  to  me  there  ever  w^ere,  and  ever  will  be  those,  who,  with 
false  doctrines  and  hard  hearts,  shed  the  blood  of  the  right- 
eous. (Matt.  23;  Rev.  17,  18.)  Alas!  such  persecution  is  so 
disgraceful  that  it  is  almost  a  shame  to  mention  it.  Even  as 
the  sun  shines  before  all  the  world,  and  of  these  inhuman, 
learned,  against  the  Lord  and  his  chosen.  God  grant  that  these 
blind,  perverted,  blood-thirsty  teachers,  with  all  their  tyranny, 
may  see  and  become  tired  of  their  false  doctrine,  and  their  shed- 
ding of  innocent  blood.     Amen. 


WITH  THEIR  REPLICATIONS.  M 

In  the  second  place,  tliey  teach  that  the  children  of  Israel, 
under  the  Old  Testament,  were  initiated  into  the  church  and 
admitted  into  God's  covenant  through  circumcision.  But  now, 
our  children  are  admitted  into  church  through  baptism.  In  ac- 
cordance with  scripture,  we  reply,  no!  For  whoever  reads  the 
scriptures  understandingly,  will  clearly  perceive  that  Abraham 
was  in  covenant  with  the  Lord,  many  years  before  he  was  cir- 
cumcised. And  that  the  children  were  circumcised  on  the 
eighth  day,  although  they  had  been  in  the  covenant  before. 
For  it  is  evident  that  we  do  not  become  the  children  of  God 
through  any  outward  rites,  but  through  the  paterilal  and  gra- 
cious choice,  through  Christ  Jesus.  (Eph.  1.)  But  an  outward 
sign  was  commanded  Abraham  as  a  seal  of  obedience  and  faith. 
And  likewise  of  his  seed,  that  they  should  circumcise  the  male 
children  on  the  eighth  day,  no  sooner  nor  later,  and  not  the 
female  children.  (Gen.  17.)  Had  the  covenant  depended  upon 
the  sign,  and  not  upon  the  grace,  what  would  have  become  of 
tlie  female  children,  and  the  males  that  died  before  the  seventh 
day. 

Reader,  give  heed  to  the  word  of  God.  Although  the  women 
and  female  children  were  not  circumcised,  they  had  the  promise 
in  common,  in  the  promised  seed,  the  holy  land,  the  kingdom 
and  glory.  They  were  no  less  the  seed  of  Abraham,  and  in  the 
covenant,  and  the  things  signified  by  the  circumcision,  than  the 
circumcised  men  and  male  children.  From  which  it  is  evi- 
dent that  the  children  of  Israel  were  not  in  the  Lord's  cove- 
nant, on  account  of  circumcision,  as  Pedo-baptists  assert,  but 
through  the  divine  choice  of  grace. 

And  even  as  Abraham  and  the  children  of  Israel — the  female 
as  well  as  the  male  children — were  in  the  covenant  through  the 
divine  choice,  so  also  are  our  children  in  the  covenant  of  God, 
although  not  baptized.  The  word  of  Paul  is  incontrovertible: 
Who  has  chosen  us  in  him  before  the  foundation  of  the  world, 
&c.,  and  has  ordained  us  His  children  by  Jesus  Christ.  (Eph.  1.) 

Again.  Children  are  entitled  to  the  kingdom  of  heaven,  and 
are  under  the  promise  of  the  grace  of  God,  through  Christ;  as 
has  been  said;  and  therefore  we  truly  believe,  that  they  are 
blessed,  holy  and  pure,  acceptable  to  God  are  under  the  cove- 
nant, and  in  his  church,  not  by  an  external  sign;  for  there  is 
not  a  word  in  all  the  scriptures  whereby  to  maintain,  that  chil- 
dren were  admitted  into  the  covenant,  and  incorporated  with 
the  church.  Besides,  it  is  very  evident  that  they  cannot  be 
taught  or  admonished  by  word,  or  sacrament,  so  long  as  they 
are  without  understanding. 

Therefore,  are  the  signs  not  to  be  used  for  any  other  pui'poses 
than  they  were  designed  and  commanded  by  the  Lord.  Since 
Christ  has  ordained  and  commanded  to  baptize  believers,  and 


62  COUNTER  ARGUMENTS 

not  said  a  word  of  infant  baptism,  we  believe  and  teach  that 
the  baptism  of  believers  is  of  the  word  of  God,  and  infant 
baptism  of  the  dragon  and  the  beast. 

All  the  rites  ordained  of  God,  both  of  the  Old  and  New  Tes- 
tament, are  ordained  to  exercise  our  faith  and  to  show  our  obe- 
dience. Therefore,  we  are  not  to  use  them  in  such  a  way,  and 
change  them  as  we  think  proper;  but  we  must  use  them  as  the 
Lord  himself  has  ordained  and  commanded,  if  wc  would  escape 
being  punished  by  the  fierce  wrath  of  God,  as  were  Nadab  and 
Abihu.     (Lev.  10.) 

Since  Christ  has  commanded  that  believers  should  be  bap- 
tized, and  not  infants,  and  the  holy  apostles  taught  thus,  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  instructions  and  commands  of  Christ,  as  may 
be  seen  in  many  places  of  the  New  Testament,  all  reasonable- 
minded  men  must  admit  that  infant  baptism,  although  held  by 
nearly  the  whole  world,  and  maintained  by  tyranny,  is  nothing 
less  than  a  ceremony  of  Antichrist,  open  blasphemy,  an  en- 
chanting sin,  a  molten  calf,  yea  abomination  and  idolatry. 

We  also  know  how  they  apply  circumcision  figuratively  to 
allude  to  baptism,  and  adduce  the  saying  of  Paul  in  proof 
thereof,  (Col.  2:  11,)  namely:  In  whom  also  ye  are  circumcised 
with  the  circumcision  made  without  hands,  &c.  He  that  will  at- 
tempt to  prove  by  this  passage  that  infant  baptism  is  right, 
does  violence  to  holy  Paul,  and  perverts  his  testimony.  For  he 
does  not  teach  that  eternal  circumcision  is  a  figure  of  baptism, 
(Gen.  18;  Josh.  5,)  but  alludes  to  inward  circumcision,  (Rom. 
2;  Phil.  3;  Col.  2.)  For  even  as  actual  circumcision  of  the 
foreskin  was  performed  with  a  knife  of  stone,  so  also  must  our 
imbred  and  Adamic  nature  be  cut  off  with  that  spiritual  knife  of 
stone,  done  without  hands.  The  stone  is  Christ.  (1  Cor.  10.) 
The  knife  is  the  word  of  God.  (Heb.  4;  Eph.  G.)  It  is  with 
this  circumcision  that  believers,  not  children,  are  circumcised, 
as  Paul  evidently  intends  to  teach  by  this  scripture :  Ye  are 
circumcised  with  the  circumcision  made  without  hands,  in  put- 
ting off  the  body  of  the  sins  of  the  flesh  by  the|circumcision  of 
Christ,  buried  with  him  in  baptism,  wherein  also  ye  are  risen 
with  him  through  the  faith  of  the  operation  of  God.  It  appears 
to  me,  that  these  words  plainly  show,  that  Paul  spoke  not  in  re- 
lation to  the  baptism  of  children;  but  in  regard  to  inner  cir- 
cumcision of  the  believers.  Read  also  what  wc  said  above. 
(Rom.  6.) 

In  the  tliird  place,  they  say  that  children  are  regenerated, 
put  on  Christ,  and  receive  the  Holy  Ghost,  in  baptism. 

To  which  we  reply:  To  be  regenerated,  to  put  on  Christ,  and 
to  receive  the.  Holy  Ghost,  are  one  and  the  same  thing;  and 
according  to  its  power,  inseparable.  Have  you  the  one,  you 
have  the  other  also.    But  that  does  not  at  all  concern  children; 


WIIH  THEIR  REPLICATIONS.  53 

for  regeneration  takes  place  through  faith,  through  the  word 
of  God,  and  is  a  change  of  heart,  or  of  the  inward  man,  as 
above  said.  To  put  on  Christ,  is  to  be  transplanted  into  Christ, 
and  to  be  like-minded  with  him.  To  receive  the  Holy  Ghost, 
is  to  be  a  partaker  of  his  gifts  and  power,  to  be  taught,  as- 
sured and  influenced  by  him,  as  the  scriptures  teach.  This 
cannot  take  place  with  children;  for  they  have  no  ears  to  hear 
the  word  of  the  Lord,  and  no  understanding  to  comprehend  it. 
Faith  is  by  the  hearing  of  the  word. 

Here  it  may  be  asked,  whether  God  is  not  powerful  enough 
to  work  faith  in  children;  because  John  the  Baptist,  yet  un- 
born, leaped  in  his  mother's  womb  for  joy.     (Luke  1.)     - 

We  reply  to  this,  that  we  are  not  speakiug  of  the  power  of 
God;  he  made  aged  and  barren  Sarah  fruitful,  (Gen.  18,  21,) 
and  caused  Balaam's  ass  to  speak.  (Num.23.)  But  it  does 
liot  follow  that  all  old,  barren  women  will  become  fruitful,  and 
that  all  asses  are  to  speak.  Therefore,  he  does  not  all  he 
could  do;  but  we  speak  of  the  scriptures,  what  they  teach  and 
command  us  concerning  this  matter. 

Because  little  children  do  not  understand,  therefore,  they 
cannot  believe,  and  because  they  do  not  believe,  they  cannot  be 
born  again.  Reason  teaches  us  that  they  cannot  understand 
the  word  of  God.  That  they  do  not  believe  and  are  not  re- 
generated, is  evident  from  their  actions.  Be  they  baptized  or 
not,  their  inbred  nature  is  from  their  youth  prone  to  evil. 
(Gen.  6,  8.)  They  know  no  difference  between  Christ  and 
Satan;  between  good  and  evil;  l)etvy'een  life  and  death.  (Deut. 
1 ;  Jonah  4. )  Whereby  then  shall  we  know  their  faith,*  re- 
generation, or  that  they  possess  Christ  and  liis  Spirit?  The 
regenerating  word  must  flrst  be  heard  and  believed  with  a  sin- 
cere heart,  before  regeneration,  the  putting  on  of  Christ  and 
the  influences  of  the  Holy  Ghost  follow. 

Behold,  thus  we  are  taught  by  the  word  of  the  Lord.  He 
that  does,  therefore,  not  desire  the  palatable  bread  of  the 
divine  word,  upon  vdiich  our  souls  have  to  live,  may  satisfy 
himself  with  husks — we  cannot  forbid  him.  (Deut.  8;  Matt. 
4;  Luke  15.)  I  trust  that  the  gracious  Father  will  protect  and 
preserve  us,  out  of  his  great  mercy,  from  their  anti-Christian 
doctrines  and  Pharisaic  leaven. 

In  the  fourth  place  they  say:  that  although  children  are  not 
so  washed  from  original  sin  in  baptism,  that  there  are  no  re- 
mains of  it,  still  for  the  sake  of  baptism  these  shall  not  be 
imputed  to  them  as  sin. 

To  which  we  reply:  Tluis  to  teach  and  believe,  is  open  blas- 
phemy against  Christ  and  his  blood.  I  have  proved  more  than 
once  by  the  word  of  the  Lord,  that  Christ  is  the  only  remedy 
for  our  sins,  and  that  tliere  is  forever  none  other.     (Isa.  43,  53 ; 


54  COUNTER  ARGUMENTS 

Matt.  1,  20,  26;  Mark  14;  Luke  2,  22,  24;  John  1,  3;  Acts  4, 
10;  Gal.  1,  2;  Eph.  1,2,  5;  Col.  1,  2;  1  Tim.  1,  2;  Tit.  2,  3; 
Heb.  1,  2,  3,  4,  5,  6,  7,  8,  9,  10,  13;  1  Pet.  1,  2,  3,  4;  1  John  1, 
2,  3,  4,  5;  Rev.  1.)  If  men  will  not  believe  the  word  of  God, 
there  is  no  help  for  them.  But  the  way  or  manner  in  -svhicli 
believers  receive  the  remission  of  sins,  in  baptism,  is  fully  ex- 
plained above,  and  he  that  reads  it  understandingly,  will  give 
the  Lord  Jesus  the  praise  due  him,  and  not  ascribe  the  remis- 
sion of  his  sins  to  rites  and  elements. 

In  the  fifth  place,  they  say  that  Christ  has  cleansed  and 
sanctified  his  church  with  the  washing  of  water.  (Eph.  5.) 
Children  (say  they)  belong  to  the  church,  therefore  they  must' 
be  cleansed  with  the  washing  of  water  by  the  word. 

To  which  we  reply,  Paul  does  not  speak  of  children,  but  of 
those  who  hear  and  believe  the  word  of  the  Lord,  and  thus  by 
faith,  their  hearts  are  sanctified  and  cleansed.  (Acts45.)  For 
such  are  cleansed  by  the  washing  of  water,  as  the  mouth  of 
the  Lord  has  commanded. 

Since  children  have  not  this  pure,  sanctifying  faith,  nor  the 
means  thereto,  (Rom.  10, )  namely,  the  understanding,  and  are 
not  commanded  in  scripture  to  be  baptized,  how  can  they  then 
be  cleansed  with  water  by  the  word,  having  no*  faith  in  the 
word,  and  no  washing  of  water  by  the  word  ?  Therefore,  all 
pedo-baptists  should  know,  that  their  infant  baptism  does 
neither  cleanse  nor  sanctify,  but  that  it  is  idolatry  in  toto,  with- 
out promise — pernicious,  and  contrary  to  the  word  of  the  Lord. 

We  have  before  shown,  that  the  remission  of  sins,  or  recon- 
ciliation was  connected  with  and  consequent  upon  the  Jewish 
offerings,  if  performed  according  to  the  instructions  of  Moses. 
But  when  not  thus  performed,  they  did  not  obtain  reconcilia- 
tion, but  made  themselves  the  more  guilty,  as  Saul,  Uzziah, 
Nadab,  Abilm  and  others.  (1  Sam.  15;  2  Cliron.  26;  Lev. 
20.)  In  like  manner  is  the  church  sanctified  and  cleansed  with 
the  washing  of  water,  by  the  word,  if  it  is  done  in  every  re- 
spect according  to  the  instruction  of  the  word.  But  if  not,  a 
man  is  not  cleansed,  l)ut  sins  much  more. 

And  although  children  have  neither  faith  nor  baptism,  no  one 
has  a  right  to  believe,  that  they  will  therefore  be  damned !  O 
no!  they  are  blessed;  for  they  have  the  Lord's  own  promise  of 
the  kingdom  of  God;  not  through  any  elements,  ceremonies  and 
external  rites,  but  they  are  saved  only  by  grace,  through  Jesus 
Christ.  (Matt.  19;  Mark  10;  Luke  18.)  And  therefore,  we 
do  truly  believe,  that  they  are  in  a  state  of  grace,  acceptable  to 
God,  pure,  holy,  heirs  of  God  and  of  eternal  life.  For  on  ac- 
count of  this  promise,  all  sincere.  Christian  believers,  may 
assuredly  comfort  themselves  and  rejoice  in  the  salvation  of 
their  children. 


WITH  THEIR  REPLICATIONS.  65 

In  the  sixth  place,  they  say  that  children  are  to  be  baptized 
on  account  of  the  promise  made  them,  as  above  stated;  although 
Christ  did  not  baptize  the  children  brought  to  him,  or  had  them 
baptized;  but  they  say,  that  he  had  infant  baptism  taught  and 
practised  after  his  death. 

To  which  we  reply:  This  is  a  false  doctrine,  and  has  not  the 
word  of  God  to  sanction  it;  yea,  it  cannot  be  supported  by  a 
single  word  in  the  scriptures.  We  rejoice  with  all  our  heart, 
that  they  have  this  promise;  the  scriptures,  however,  do  not 
teach  that  they  should,  therefore,  be  baptized.  And  that  they 
were  not  baptized  before  Christ's  death,  gives  us  greater  assur- 
ance still,  that  they  were  not  baptised  after  his  death;  for  we 
certainly  know,  that  he  taught  no  other  word,  no  other  doc- 
trine, no  other  baptism,  nor  did  he  give  another  spirit,  or 
another  promise,  nor  had  he  instructed  others  to  teach  differ- 
ently, after  his  death,  than  before  that  event.  That  he  com- 
manded his  holy  apostles,  after  his  ascension,  to  teach  and 
practice  infant  baptism,  can  never  be  proved  by  the  word  of 
the  Lord. 

O  flesh,  flesh!  thou  art  not  ashamed  to  charge  lies  upon 
Jesus  Christ  and  his  apostles,  and  to  practice  infant  baptism 
under  the  semblance  of  the  divine  word,  as  if  the  Lord  had 
taught  it,  though  he  never  did.  How  much  you  are  like  those 
who  say:  Thus  saith  the  Lord,  albeit  I  have  not  spoken 
it,  saith  the  Lord.     (Jer.  23;  Ezek.  13,) 

As  often  as  the  question  is  put  to  us,  why  shall  children  not 
be  baptized,  since  they  belong  to  the  church  of  God,  and  are 
partakers  of  his  grace,  covenant  and  promise  ? 

We  answer:  Because  the  Lord  neither  taught  nor  com- 
manded it. 

In  the  seventh  place,  they  say:  The  scriptures  inform  us, 
that  the  apostles  baptized  whole  families,  from  which  we  may 
readily  conclude,  that  there  were  infants  among  them. 

To  which,  in  the  first  place,  we  reply,  that  they  acknowledge 
by  their  own  argument,  which  they  base  upon  uncertain  con- 
jechires,  that  there  is  not  a  word  in  the  scriptures,  which 
teaches  this  doctrine. 

In  the  second  place,  we  answer,  that  in  things  of  such  im- 
portance, we  dare  not  build  upon  uncertain  suppositions,  but 
upon  the  sure  word,  which  is  a  lamp  to  our  feet  and  a  light  to 
our  path.     (Ps.  119.) 

We  answer  in  the  third  place,  that  four  families  are  men- 
tioned in  the  scriptures  as  having  been  baptized;  namely,  Cor- 
nelius's, the  jailor's,  Lydia's  and  Stephanas's,  (Acts  10,  16;  1 
Cor.  16.)  And  the  scriptures  plainly  show  that  these  four 
families  were  all  believers,  namely,  the  family  of  Cornelius, 
the  jailor's,  and  that  of  Stephanas.    But,  touching  the  family 


36  COUNTEB  ARGUMENTS. 

of  Lydia,  although  the  scriptures  say  nothing  definitely  con- 
cerning it,  the  reader  should  know  that  it  is  not  usual  in 
scripture,  nor  the  common  custom  of  the  world,  to  call  the 
family  by  the  woman's  name,  as  long  as  the  husband  is  living. 
Since  then,  Luke  mentions  the  family  by  the  name  of  the 
woman,  reason  teaches  us,  that  Lydia  was  at  that  time  either 
a  widow  or  a  virgin.  Of  tlie  difficulty  to  determine  whether 
there  were  children  in  her  house,  we  shall  let  the  pious  reader 
judge. 

We  answer  in  the  fourth  place,  that  the  word  household,  or 
houses,  does  not  include  the  minor  children  as  mentioned  in 
the  scriptures:  for  Paul  says:  That  the  idle  talkers  subvert 
whole  hoiLses.  And  that  a  little  child  cannot  be  subverted  by 
any  false  doctrine,  is  incontrovertibly  true.  Therefore,  by  the 
word  house  or  houses,  no  others  can  be  understood,  than  those 
who  have  ears  to  hear,  and  hearts  to  understand. 

In  the  last  place,  they  appeal  to  Origen  and  Augustine,  and 
say  that  these  assert  that  they  have  received  infant  baptism 
from  the  apostles. 

To  which  we  answer  and  ask :  Can  Origen  and  Augustine, 
prove  this  by  the  scriptures?  Have  they  done  so? — we  desire 
to  know;  if  not,  then  must  we  hear  and  believe  Christ  and  his 
apostles,  and  not  Augustine  and  Origen. 

That  this  is  not  the  case  may  readily  be  seen  from  Cyprian; 
because  he  left  infant  baptism  at  liberty,  if  the  preachers  of 
Nordlingen,  for  many  years  past,  have  rightly  informed  me  in 
the  history  of  their  church,  and  not  deceived  me  with  the  mean- 
ing of  the  word  Libertum.  Cyprian  also  was  a  Greek,  as  well 
as  Origen,  and  lived  twenty-five  years  after  him.  If  then  in- 
fant baptism  was  the  doctrine  of  the  apostles  and  practiced  by 
them,  as  Origen  and  Augustine  assert,  it  must  first  be  proved 
by  the  scriptures,  and  then  Cyprian  must  not  have  sinned  a 
little,  to  leave  the  observance  of  the  doctrines  and  usages  of 
the  apostles  at  liberty.  For  anything  that  is  apostolic  dare  not 
be  changed  by  any  man.  The  word  of  Paul  is  indisputable; 
if  an  angel  were  to  come  from  heaven  to  preach  another  gospel 
unto  you,  than  that  which  he  had  preached  unto  you,  let  him 
be  accursed.  Else  we  would  be  constrained  to  acknowledge 
that  the  twelve  apostles  with  their  doctrine,  were  not  the  twelve 
foundations  and  twelve  gates  of  the  New  Jerusalem. 

If  infant  baptism  is  apostolic,  why  does  Tertullian  write 
and  say:  "They  who  are  baptized,  confess  for  a  considerable 
time  in  the  chui'ch,  before  the  bishop,  that  they  renounce  the 
devil,  his  pomp  and  angels,"  &c. 

Revanus  annotates  on  this  passage  and  says :  That  it  was  the 
custom  of  old  that  the  adults — the  grown  persons — be  baptized 
in  the  bath  of  regeneration. 


ADDRESS  TO  THE  SCORNERS  OF  THE  WORD  AND  BAPTISM.     57 

That  infant  baptism  was  not  apostolic,  may  be  seen  from  the 
insipid  remarks  of  Athanasius,  as  Rufinus  j)lainly  shows;  see 
Eus.  10  Lihro  Ecc.  His.  Cap.  14. 

And,  remember  how  the  early  writers  contended  about  infant 
baptism.  Had  it  been  apostolic,  and  found  in  the  gospel,  why 
would  they  have  thus  wrangled? 

Read  also  Erasmus  Rottered,  in  sua  concion.,  in  Ms  2'>uhUc 
orations,  Sebastus  Frank's  Chronicle.  Ulrich  Zwingle  in  his 
book  of  Articles,  Martin  Cellarius,  de  immensis  operi  Dei,  con- 
cerning the  immense  icorks  of  God,  there  you  will  find  that  in- 
fant baptism  is  not  the  doctrine  and  the  usages  of  the  apostles. 

Behold,  beloved  reader,  I  admonish  and  advise  you,  if  you 
seek  God  with  all  you  heart,  and  do  not  wish  to  be  deceived; 
•depend  not  upon  men  and  their  doctrine,  no  matter  how  old, 
how  holy  and  excellent  soever  they  may  be  called;  for  one 
divine,  ancient  or  modern,  is  against  another;  but  put  your 
trust  in  Christ  and  his  word.  Depend  upon  the  sure  instruc- 
tion and  usages  of  his  holy  apostles,  and  you  will,  through  the 
grace  of  God,  be  perfectly  safe  from  all  false  doctrines  and 
power  of  the  devil;  and  you  can  walk  with  a  pious  mind  before 
God.     (Matt.  17.) 


AN    ADMONITION     ADDEESSED    TO    THE 

SCOENEES  OF  TIJE  WOED  AND 

BAPTISM. 

We  well  know,  beloved  reader,  that  there  are  many  unprofit- 
able talkers,  who  teach  from  the  letters  of  the  scriptures,  that 
little  children  should  not  be  baptized,  but  only  Christian  be- 
lievers; nevertheless  they  say:  Why,  my  dear  sir,  what  can 
'VN'ater  a,vail  us?  We  hve  been  once  baptized  in  the  name  of 
"God.  Had  we  only  the  new  life,  it  would  suffice.  O,  dear 
Lord!  thus  is  thy  precious  word  everywhere  esteemed  of  this 
vicious  world  as  fables  of  ^sop;  as  if  omnipotent  majesty,  the 
eternal  wisdom  and  truth  had  taught  and  commanded  some 
things  to  no  purpose.  No  my  good  reader,  no,  his  name  is  the 
governing  Lord;  his  word  is  his  will;  his  command  is  eternal 
life,  (John  11.)  All  things  which  he  has  taught  and  commanded 
us,  he  will  undoubtedly  have  us  to  observe ;  if  we  do  not,  woe 
to  us!  Christ  says;  He  that  has  my  commandments,  and 
keepeth  them,  he  it  is  that  loveth  me.    (John  15. )    My  counsel, 

3* 


58  AN   ADMONITION  ADDRESSED  TO    THE 

says  the  propliet,  will  stand,  and  my  wiUsliall  be  done.  There- 
fore, O  creature,  do  no  longer  fight  against  God.  Give  ear  to 
him  and  obey  his  voice,  for  it  is  his  divine  counsel,  word  and 
will.  Who  are  you,  that  you  would  contend  with  God?  Christ's 
sheep  hear  his  voice.  (John  10.)  True  Christians  believe  and 
obey.  Are  you  sincere  Christians,  born  of  God?  Then  why  do 
you  dread  bai^tism,  which  is  among  the  least  that  God  com- 
manded you?  It  has  always  been  a  w^eighty  command  to  love 
your  enemy;  to  do  good  to  those  that  hate  you;  to  pray  in 
spirit  and  in  truth,  for  those  who  persecute  you;  (Matt.  5)  to 
crucify  your  wicked  and  ungodly  liesh,  with  its  lusts  and  de- 
sires; (Rom.  12;  Gal.  5)  to  subdue  your  arbitrary  arraganca; 
your  avariciousness;  your  offensive  unchastity;  your  bloody 
hatred;  your  banqueting,  eating  and  drinking  to  excess;  to 
renounce  your  accursed  idolatry;  to  desist  from  your  envious 
revilings;  to  curb  your  slanderous  tongue;  to  govern  your 
heart  and  flesh ;  to  love  and  serve  with  all  your  heart  your 
Lord  and  God,  your  Creator  and  Redeemer;  and  in  all  things 
to  submit  to  his  holy  Avord,  and  to  love  and  serve  your  neighbor 
sincerely,  with  all  your  powers;  (Deut.  6, 10;  Matt.  23  ;  (^al.  5) 
with  all  your  i:)Ossessions,  with  your  counsel,  with  your  labor, 
yea,  if  required,  your  death  and  blood,  (Eph.  4)  to  sufter  misery 
and  disdain  for  the  Lord's  word;  with  a  sincere  heart  to  bear 
the  oppressive  cross  of  Christ;  (1  John  3)  and  to  confess  Christ 
Jesus  before  lords  and  princes— in  prison  and  bonds — in  life 
and  death. 

We  think  that  these,  and  the  like  commands,  were  more 
powerful  and  weightier  to  perverse  flesh,  which  is  so  naturally 
prone  to  follow  its  own  Avay,  than  to  have  a  hand  full  of  water 
applied.  And  a  sincere  Christian  must  at  all  times  be  ready  to 
do  all  this;  if  not,  he  is  not  born  of  God:  for  the  regenerated 
are  of  one  mind  with  Christ  Jesus. 

All  who  have  been  translated  from  Adam  into  Christ,  and 
become  partakers  of  the  divine  nature,  through  the  grace  of 
God,  and  are  baptized  of  God,  witli  the  spirit  and  tire  of  heavenly 
love,  will  not  contend  with  and  speak  so  deridingly  of  the  Lord 
and  say:  My  dear  sir,  Avhat  can  water  avail?  But  they  say 
with  trembling  Paul;  Lord,  what  wilt  thou  have  me  to  do? 
(Acts  9.)  And  with  the  penitents  on  the  day  of  Pentecost, 
Meit  and  brethren,  what  shall  we  do?  (Acts  2.)  They  will 
renounce  their  own  wisdom,  and  willingly  obey  the  word  of  the 
Lord;  for  they  are  influenced  by  his  Spirit;  and  through  faith 
willingly  do  all  things  commanded  them. 

But  as  long  as  their  minds  are  not  renewed,  and  they  are  not 
of  the  same  mind  with  Christ,  (Phil.  1,)  and  arc  not  washed  in 
the  inner  man,  with  clean  water,  from  the  living  fountain  of 
God,  they  may  well  say:  What  can  water  avail  us?  (John  7; 


SCORNERS  OP  THE  WORD  AND  BAPTISM.  59 

Heb.  10.)  For  as  long  as  they  are  earthly  and  sensually 
minded,  the  whole  ocean  would  not  cleanse  them. 

My  faithful  reader,  think  not  that  we  put  great  stress  upon 
the  elements  and  rites.  I  tell  you  the  truth  in  Christ,  and  lie 
not.  If  any  one  were  to  come  to  mo,  even  the  emperor  or  the 
king,  and  Avould  desire  to  be  baptized,  still  walking  in  the 
unclean,  ungodly  lusts  of  the  flesh,  and  were  he  not  unblame- 
able,  penitent  and  regenerated,  I  would  sooner  die  by  the  grace 
of  God,  than  to  baptize  such  an  impenitent  and  sensual  man. 
For  where  there  is  no  renewing,  regenerating  faith,  leading  to 
obedience,  there  baptism  should  not  be  administered.  Even  as 
Philip  said  to  the  Eunuch:  If  thou  believest  with  all  thy  heart, 
then  mayest  thou  be  baptized.  (Acts  8.)  But  nevertheless, 
you  ought  to  know,  should  the  person  to  be  baptized  come  with 
a  hypocritical  heart,  under  semblance  of  faith,  that  his  hyi^o- 
crisy  would  not  be  imputed  to  the  baptizer  as  a  sin,  but  to  the 
dissembler;  for  no  man  knows  the  heart  of  man,  save, the  spirit 
of  man  which  is  in  him.     (1  Cor.  2.) 

It  appears  to  me,  that  you  might  readily  conclude  that  we 
desire  no  other  water  than  that  which  the  Lord  commands. 
For  since  we  believe  that  Christ  is  the  true  Messiah,  to  whom 
the  law  and  the  prophets  directed,  whom  all  the  righteous 
patriarchs  and  prophets  desired,  that  he  came  from  heaven  and 
testified  the  truth,  and  that  his  command  is  eternal  life,  we 
must,  therefore,  hear  his  voice  and  obey  his  word;  if  not,  we 
actually  show  that  we  do  not  believe,  but  that  we  reject  his 
counsel  and  word,  and  are  ungrateful  towards  him  for  his  love. 

I  know  well  that  many  of  you  will  say:  We  were  once  bap- 
tized in  the  name  of  God,  and  with  that  we  are  satisfied.  To 
which  we  reply:  If  you  fear  God  with  all  your  heart,  and 
acknowledge  that  his  word  and  ordinances  are  just  and  good, 
you  must  be  judges  yourselves  whether  you  are  baptized  in  the 
name  or  against  the  name  of  God.  It  is  true  that  the  adora- 
ble, high  name  of  God  was  pronounced  over  you,  but  not 
otherwise  than  it  is  pronounced  over  church-bells,  chapels, 
altars,  consecrated  water,  tapers  and  palms.  All  anti-chris- 
tian  idolatry  and  abominations  are  performed  under  the  sem- 
blance of  the  divine  name;  althouirh  they  are  not  done  by 
\irtxie  of  hnt  against  hiH  name,  (Exod.  20.)_^for  they  are  done 
contrary  to  his  word  and  will. 

My  beloved  reader,  reflect  well  upon  these  words,  and  judge 
them  by  the  word  ot  the  Lord,  and  you  will  find  that  your  bap- 
tism is  instituted  and  invented  of  men,  without  the  coinmand  of 
God,  and  must  be  accursed  of  God,  who  will  himself  rule  and 
govern  his  church.  (Gal.  1. )  Would  you  rejoice  in  the  promise 
and  be  partakers  of  the  church  of  Christ,  you  must  believe  the 
word  of  the  Lord,  be  obedient  to,  and  follow  his  counsel,  will 


•€0  AN  ADMONITION  ADDRESSED  TO  SCORNERS. 

and  ordinances.  But  if  you  refuse  and  follow  your  own,  and 
not  the  Lord's  counsel  and  will,  you  cannot  comfort  yourselves 
with  any  scriptural  promise.  For  he  that  believeth  not,  says 
Christ,  is  already  condemned.     (John  3.) 

Therefore,  do  no  longer  comfort  yourself  with  such  vain 
comfort  and  say  we  have  been  once  baptized.  You  are  still 
unbelievers,  rebellious  and.unclean.  Your  whole  life  is  earthly 
and  sensual,  and  your  baptism  is  anti-christian,  and  is  without 
the  sanction  of  the  word  of  God.  Therefore,  awaken,  repent, 
believe  in  Chrift,  seek,  fear  and  love  God  with  all  your  heart, 
then  the  word  of  the  Lord  and  his  unction  will  teach  you  what 
is  proper  for  you  to  do  in  this  matter.  And  say  not,  as  some 
do,  I  will  renounce  the  church  and  idolatry;  I  will  serve  my 
neighbor,  &c.,  but  I  do  not  wish  to  be  baptized. 

0  you  blind  men!  Do  you  think  that  the  Lord  is  pleased 
with  your  staying  away  from  the  church,  or  with  your  alms,  or 
any  thing  of  the  kind,  if  you  reject  his  counsel  and  word?  No! 
no!!  He  desires  your  obedience,  but  no  sacrifice,  (1  Sam.  15.) 
He  desires  the  whole  heart,  the  entire  man.  With  him,  neither 
church  nor  alms  will  avail,  neither  words  nor  deeds,  as  long  as 
you  are  urenewed.  For  in  Christ  Jesus,  says  Paul,  neither 
circumcision,  nor  uncircumcision  availeth  anything  but  faith 
which  worketh  by  love,  (Gal.  5)  and  a  new  creature,  (Gal.  6) 
and  the  keeping  of  the  commandments  of  God,  (1  Cor.  7.) 

And  whosoever  is  renewed  in  Christ  and  born  of  God,  he 
liveth  no  more,  as  Paul  says:  but  Christ  lives  in  him,  (Gal.  1.) 
In  all  his  ways  he  conforms  to  the  word  of  the  Lord,  for  the 
powerful,  active  faith  constrains  him  to  all  obedience,  and  to 
every  good  work.  But  where  this  new  principle  is  not,  there 
fair  words  may  indeed  be,  but  in  truth,  nothing  else  than  unbe- 
lief, disobedience,  presumption  and  perverseness. 

1  hereby  entreat  and  admonish  you,  beloved  reader,  not  to  be 
so  obstinate  against  the  Lord,  and  say:  what  can  water  avail 
us?  But  do  reflect  that  Christ  Jesus  himself  was  baptized, 
(Matt.  3)  though  he  was  without  sin,  and  in  his  mouth  guile 
was  not  found;  (1  Cor.  1,)  yea,  righteousness  himself,  the  way, 
the  truth  and  life,  (John  4.)  Say,  then,  what  could  water 
avail  Christ,  who  was  all  in  all  things?  The  disciples  at  Ephe- 
sus  were  re-baptized  of  Paul,  because  they  knew  nothing  of 
the  Holy  Ghost,  although  they  were  baptized  with  the  baptism 
of  John,  (Acts  19.)  If  Christ  himself  was  baptized,  who  was 
without  sin,  (Matt.  11)  and  others  were  re-baptized  of  Paul, 
who  were  baj^tized  with  the  baptism  of  John,  which  was  also 
from  heaven?  Why  do  you  then  despise  the  Lord's  baptism, 
you  miserable,  poor  sinners,  who  were  baptized  without  know- 
ledge and  faith,  with  the  baptism  of  the  dragon  and  the  beast? 

Cyprian,  the  martyi-,  with  his  counsel,  in  Africa,  resolved 


THE  lord's  holy  SUPPER.  61 

that  those  who  were  baptized  of  heretics,  should  be  re-baptized 
with  the  Christian  baptism,  and  they,  therefore,  maintained 
that  heretical  baptism  could  not  be  the  baptism  of  Christ. 
Reflect  a  little,  kind  reader,  who  they  were  that  baptized  you; 
of  whom  they  were  sent;  what  kind  of  faith  they  had;  what 
kind  of  lives  they  led;  with  what  doctrine  and  usages  you 
were  baptized.  If  you  will  seriously  reflect  thereon,  I  hope  by 
the  grace  of  God,  if  you  desire  the  true  peace  and  liberty  of 
conscience,  you  will  soon  be  aware  that  you  never  knew  either 
the  external  or  internal  baptism,  much  less  received  it. 

Behold,  beloved  reader,  here  you  have  the  true  foundation 
and  scriptural  instructions  of  the  baptism  of  Christ,  and  an 
explanation  of  the  baptism  of  Antichrist. 

Pray  the  Lord,  the  Most  High,  for  a  sound  and  clear  under- 
standing, that  you  may  know  the  right  and  blessed  truth,  might 
believe  and  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  faithfully  observe  all  things. 
Quit  all  useless  disputing  and  gainsaying;  for  whosoever  will 
dispute  and  gainsay  with  the  determination  to  remain  in  the 
broad  way,  will  ruin  his  soul,  and  will  never  walk  honestly  and 
with  a  good  conscience  before  God;  and  he  will  always  find 
occasion  to  dispute  and  wrangle. 

Therefore,  do  examine,  believe  and  obey  the  word  of  God, 
with  a  sincere  and  devout  heart,  and  be  not  deceived  by  fair 
speeches  under  disguise,  and  you  will  certainly  obtain  the  sure 
ground  of  the  saving  truth,  and  the  consoling-promise  of  grace. 
The  Lord  Jesus  grant,  and  give  you  his  grace  thereto.  Amen. 


THE  LOED'S  HOLY  SUPPER. 

You  know,  beloved  sirs,  friends  and  brethren,  that  every- 
where much  is  written,  preached  and  said  concerning  the  Lord's 
supper.  But  with  what  knowledge,  in  what  manner,  with  what 
faith,  love,  peace  and  unity,  they  celebrate  it,  is  evident.  It  is 
true,  the  Lord  commanded,  in  the  New  Testament,  the  break- 
ing of  bread,  or  the  last  supper,  but  not  to  be  celebrated  as 
you  do.  Your  Lord's  supper  is  common  to  all,  no  matter  who 
they  are;  the  avaricious,  the  proud,  the  gay,  drunkards,  wran- 
glers, idolators,  debauchees,  whoremongers  and  rogues  cele- 
brate with  you.  It  is  also  used  in  an  abominable,  oftensive, 
pompous,  hypocritical  and  idolatrous  manner;  and  besides,  it 
is  dispensed  by  such  ministers,  who,  in  tiiith,  seek  but  the 
world,  honor,  ease,  to  serve  their  flesh  and  body,  alas!  as  may 
be  seen  in  many  places. 
.   Since  so  many  of  you  are  so  z.ealous  iibout  the  Lord's  sup- 


62  THE  LOKD'e  HOLY    SUPPER. 

per,  but  not  according  to  the  scripture,  as  you  shall  hear;  for 
your  table  is  more  the  devil's  table  than  the  Lord's,  (1  Cor.  20.) 
I  would,  for  Jesus'  sake,  that  you  would  in  the  true  fear  of 
God,  reflect  and  enquire  when,  why  and  wherefore,  the  Lord 
instituted,  ordained  and  left  this  his  supper  in  the  church,  so 
tJiat  it  may  prove  to  you  a  living  and  an  effective  sign;  that  it 
might  be  impressed  upon  and  bring  to  your  mind  the  Lord's 
abundant  kindness,  the  peace,  the  love,  and  union  of  his 
church,  the  communion  of  his  flesh  and  blood;  and  that  you 
may  die  to  unrighteousness  and  every  other  ungodly  work;  to 
live  to  righteousness  and  godliness;  and  renounce  the  devil's 
table;  and  that  you  may  sit  down  at  the  Lord's  table  in  the 
church  of  Christ,  with  true  faith,  and  unfeigned  love,  as  pious, 
penitent  and  regenerated. 

Thus  saith  Paul:  I  have  received  of  the  Lord,  that  which 
also  I  delivered  unto  you,  that  the  Lord  Jesus,  the  same  night 
in  which  he  was  betrayed,  took  bread,  and  when  he  had  given 
thanks,  he  brake  it  and  said:  Take,  eat,  this  is  my  body,  which 
is  broken  for  you,  this  do  in  remembrance  of  me.  After  the 
same  manner,  he  took  the  cup,  when  he  had  supped,  saying, 
tliis  cup  is  the  New  Testament  in  my  blood,  this  do  ye  as  oft 
as  ye  drink  it  in  remembrance  of  me.     (1  Cor.  11.) 

Here  you  have  Paul's  explanation  of  tlie  words  of  the  Lord's 
Supper,  instituted  by  Jesus  Christ,  (Matt.  26;  Mark  14;  Luke 
22;)  concerning  which  words,  the  learned  taught  and  disputed 
much;  and  alas,  some  of  them,  through  their  idolatrous  misun- 
derstanding, if  we  may  call  it  such,  and  not  pride,  disputed  at 
the  expense  of  much  innocent  blood;  and  what  holy  Paul  says 
(Rom.  1,)  concerning  them  is  fulfilled.  Professing  themselves 
to  be  wise,  they  became  fools.  For  they  disputed  most  about 
the  sign,  which  avails  little,  but  they  touched  not  the  thing 
signified,  which  avails  much.  In  my  opinion,  they  are  indifterent 
what  the  qualification  of  the  guests  or  communicants  should  be 
in  order  to  sit  with  Christ  at  his  table,  to  celebrate  this  holy 
sacrament. 

There  is  not  a  single  word  in  the  scriptures,  that  should  give 
cause  for  dispute  concerning  the  visible  and  tangible  sign:  The 
spiritual  judge  all  things  spiritually,  (1  Cor.  2.)  For  whatever 
that  may  be  in  the  substance,  it  can  be  handled,  seen  and 
tasted.  But  it  is  more  important  for  us  to  perform  as  much  as 
we  can,  in  our  weakness,  what  is  signified — the  thing  which  is 
set  forth  to  all  true  and  Christian  believers. 

On  this  account,  we  will  not  trouble  the  well  meaning  and 
pious  reader  with  jarring,  fruitless  disputing,  as  the  learned 
do;  but  we  only  desire,  by  the  help  and  grace  of  the  Lord,  by 
the  power  of  the  divine  word,  to  point  out  to  you,  for  whom,  and 
why  Jesus  left  and  ordained  this  supper,  so  th^t  we  do  not  pre- 


THE  lord's  holy    SUPPER.  63 

fer  the  visible  sign  to  the  reality  of  the  ttiing  signified,  and  de- 
part from  the  truth  to  images. 

To  come  to  a  right  and  profitable  understanding  of  the  Lord's 
Supper,  what  it  is,  why,  and  wherefore  it  was  enjoined,  four 
things  in  particular  must  be  observed. 

In  the  first  place,  we  must  take  heed  that  we  do  not  as  some 
who  make  the  visible,  perishable  bread  and  wine,  the  Lord's 
real  flesh  and  blood;  to  believe  this  is  contrary  to  nature,  rea- 
son and  scripture ;  yea,  it  is  open  blasphemy  of  the  Son  of  God, 
abomination  and  idolatry.  But  as  Israel. had  to  hold  the  pass- 
over  annually,  according  to  the  command  of  Moses,  to  com- 
memorate that  the  Almighty  God,  the  God  of  Abraham,  of 
Isaac  and  Jacob,  did  signally  deliver  them  m  passing  over, 
and  sparing  their  first  born,  when  he  slew  the  first  born  of  the 
Egyptians;  and  by  his  strong  hand  and  outstretched  arai, 
gloriously  redeemed,  and  rescued  them  from  the  iron  furnace  of 
Egypt  and  the  dread  tyranny  and  dominion  of  Pharaoh,  accord- 
ing to  the  word  of  his  promise,  (Exod,  15,)  and  hence  the 
paschal  lamb  is  called  the  Lord's  passaJt,  that  is,  passover. 
(Exod.  12.  The  sign  for  the  reality,  for  the  lamb  was  not  the 
passover  (leap  over)  although  so  called,  but  it  only  typified  the 
passover,  as  said.  So  in  the  Eucharist,  the  bread  is  called  the 
body  and  the  loine  the  blood  of  the  Lord.  (Mark  IG;  Luke 
24;  Acts  1;  Rom.  8;  Eph.  4;  2  Pet.  3.)  I  say  the  sign  is 
put  for  the  reality,  the  thing  signified  or  typified,  not  that  it 
actually  is  the  real  flesh  and  blood  of  Christ;  for  with  that  he 
ascended  into  heaven,  and  sitteth  at  the  right  hand  of  his  father, 
immortal  and  unchangeable,  in  eternal  majesty  and  glory;  but 
it  is  a  memorial  and  type  that  Jesus  Christ  the  Son  of  God  has 
redeemed  us  from  the  power  of  the  devil,  from  the  dominion  of 
hell  and  eternal  death,  by  offering  up  an  immaculate  sacrifice 
— his  innocent  flesh  and  blood,  and  has  triumphantly  led  us  into 
the  kingdom  of  his  grace,  (Heb.  10, )  as  he  himself  says:  (Luke 
22, )  This  do  in  remembrance  of  me. 

In  the  second  place,  it  is  to  be  observed,  that  there  is  no 
greater  evidence  of  love,  than  that  one  suffers  death  for  another, 
as  Christ  says:  Greater  love  hath  no  man  than  this,  that  a  man 
lay  down  his  life  for  his  friends.  Since  this  holy  sign  is  only  a 
memorial  of  the  Lord's  death,  and  since  death  is  the  greatest 
evidence  of  love,  as  said,  we  are  therefore  reminded,  when  we 
are  at  the  Lord's  table,  to  eat  his  bread  and  to  drink  his  cup, 
that  we  not  only  show  forth  and  remember  his  death,  but  also 
all  the  glorious  fruits  of  divine  love,  manifested  towards  us  in 
Christ;  namely,  that  God,  in  the  beginning,  made  man  after 
his  image — placed  him  in  Paradise,  and  made  all  creatures  sub- 
ject to  him.     (Gen.  1,  2.) 

And  when  he  was  beguiled  of  the  serpent,  he  was  comforted 


64  THE  lokd's  holy  suppee. 

with  the  promise  of  a  coming  Conqueror  and  Saviour,  Jesus 
Christ.  That  God  sent  Moses  and  the  prophets,  who  sedu- 
lously practiced  the  law,  and  directed  to  the  promised  Christ 
and  his  kingdom.  That  Christ  Jesus,  according  to  the  pro- 
mise of  the  Scriptures,  finally  appeared  in  this  world — a  true 
man,  born  of  the  Virgin  Mary,  (Matt.  1,  2;  Luke  1;  John  1.) 
That  in  much  misery,  affliction  and  labor,  he  preached  the 
saving  and  gracious  Avord  to  the  house  of  Israel — sought  the  lost 
sheep  and  brought  them  to  their  true  Shepherd,  (Matt.  18; 
Luke  15.)  Who  has  pacified  and  reconciled  us  before  the 
Father,  through  his  painful  death  and  precious  blood,  (Eph.  2; 
Col.  1,  2,)  as  he  himself  says:  For  God  so  loved  the  world  that 
he  gave  his  only  begotten  Son,  that  whosoever  belie veth  in  him 
should  not  perish  but  have  everlasting  life.     CJohn  3.) 

Oh!  the  great,  wonderful  unsearchable  and  incomprehensible 
love  of  God.  He  did  not  send  into  this  unfriendly  world  an 
angel,  a  patriarch,  or  a  prophet,  but  his  eternal  ALMIGHTY 
WORD,  his  ETERNAL  WISDOM,  the  brightness  of  his 
glory,  in  the  form  of  sinful  flesh,  (Rom.  8,)  and  made  him  to 
be  sin  for  us,  who  knew  no  sin;  that  we  might  be  made  the 
righteousness  of  God  in  him.     (2  Cor.  5.) 

My  good  reader,  do  not  understand  this  as  if  Christ  had 
been  a  sinner.  Far  from  it.  The  scriptures  acquit  him  of  all 
sin.  He  was  the  spotless  lamb.  He  knew  not  sin,  neither  was 
guile  found  in  his  mouth.  But  Paul  calls  him  si7i,  according 
to  the  Hebrew  manner  of  expression;  that  is,  an  oflering  for  sin 
as  the  prophet  says :  He  was  wounded  for  our  transgressions, 
he  was  bruised  for  our  iniquities;  the  chastisement  of  our 
peace  was  upon  him;  and  with  his  stripes  were  we  healed. 
(Isa.  53.) 

Beloved,  worthy  reader,  all  those  who  believe  with  their 
whole  hearts  in  this  glorious  love  of  God,  this  abundant,  great 
blessing  of  grace  in  Christ  Jesus,  manifested  toward  us,  they 
are  more  and  more  renewed  through  such  a  faith;  their  hearts 
are  filled  with  joy  and  exultation;  they  will  break  forth  with 
joyful  heart,  in  all  manner  of  thanksgiving — they  praise  and 
commend  God  with  all  their  heart,  because  they  know,  and  be- 
lieve with  joyful  heart  in  the  spirit;  that  the  Father  loved  us 
so,  that  He  gave  us  poor,  wretched  sinners,  his  own  and  Eter- 
nal Son,  with  his  merits,  as  a  gift  and  eternal  ransom,  as  Paul 
says.  The  kindness  and  love  of  God  our  Saviour  toward  man 
appeared,  not  by  works  of  righteousness,  which  we  have  done, 
but  according  to  his  mercy  he  saved  us,  by  the  washing  of 
regeneration,  and  renewing  of  the  Holy  Ghost;  which  he  shed 
on  us  abundantly,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Saviour;  that 
being  justified  by  his  grace,  we  should  be  made  heirs  according 
the  hope  of  eternal  life.     (Tit.  3.) 


THE  lord's  holy    SUPPER.  65 

Hei-e  it  is  proper  to  observe:  How  the  righteous  died  for  the 
unrighteous,  when  we  were  yet  sinners  and  enemies.  (Rom. 
5.)  How  the  spotless  lamb  was  prepared  for  us,  in  the  fire  of 
affliction — suffered  upon  the  cross,  and  was  offered  an  eternal 
propitiation  for  our  sins.  He,  the  creator  of  all  things,  was 
bruised  for  our  sakes.  (Ex.  13;  Heb.  1;  John  1;  Col.  1;  Ps. 
45.)  And  he,  the  most  High,  who  was  above  all  the  children 
of  men,  &c.,  became  as  the  most  unworthy,  and  was  counted 
with  evil  doers.  (Isa.  53.)  The  innocent  bore  the  sins  of  the 
whole  world,  and  blotted  out  all  our  transgression,  by  the  price 
of  his  crimson  blood;  as  the  scriptures  declare :  I  restored  that 
which  I  took  not  away.  (Ps.  69.)  In  short,  that  Jesus  Christ 
through  His  obedience,  delivered  Adam  and  all  his  seed  from 
the  consequences  of  disobedience,  and  by  his  painful  death, 
again  restored  life.     (Rom.  5.) 

The  apostle  Paul,  who  knew  this  great  and  glorious  work  of 
divine  love,  broke  forth  and  said,  (Rom.  8:)  Who  will  separate 
us  from  the  love  of  God?  Shall  tribulation  or  distress,  or  per- 
secution, or  famine,  or  nakedness,  or  peril,  or  sword,  as  it  is 
written.  (Ps.  43.)  For  thy  sake  we  are  killed  all  the  day 
long;  we  are  accounted  as  sheep  for  the  slaughter.  Nay,  in  all 
these  things  we  are  more  than  conquerors  through  him  that 
loved  us.  For  I  am  persuaded,  that  neither  death,  nor  life,  nor 
angels,  nor  principalities,  nor  powers,  nor  things  present,  nor 
things  to  come,  nor  height,  nor  depth,  nor  any  other  creature, 
shall  be  able  to  separate  us  from  the  love  of  God,  which  is  in 
Christ  Jesus  our  Lord. 

And  this  is  what  John  says:  Let  us  love  him,  for  he  first 
loved  us.  (1  John  4.)  For  nature  teaches  us  to  love  those 
who  love  us.  And  this  is  the  first  fruit  of  the  holy  sacrament, 
if  rightly  celebrated. 

In  the  third  place,  we  have  to  observe:  That  Christian  union, 
love  and  peace  are  presented  to  us,  and  we  are  reminded  of 
them  by  the  Lord's  supper;  after  which  all  true  Christians  will 
have  to  strive  with  all  their  heart.  For  we  being  many,  (says 
Paul)  are  one  bread  and  one  body :  For  we  are  all  partakers  of 
that  one  bread. 

Like  as  natural  bread  is  made  of  many  grains,  bi-oken  and 
kneaded  together,  and  baked  by  the  heat  of  fire;  also  is  the 
church  of  Christ  made  -up  of  many  true  believers,  broken  in 
their  hearts  by  the  hammer  of  the  divine  word,  and  are  baptized 
by  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  with  the  fire  of  pure  love,  into  one 
body.  (1  Cor.  12.)  And  as  the  natural  body  is  in  harmony 
and  peace  with  all  its  members,  and  as  each  member  discharges 
its  duty  to  promote  the  good  of  the  whole  body;  thus  it  also 
becomes  the  true  and  living  members  of  the  body  of  Christ  to 
be  in  harmony,  of  one  heaii;,  one  mind  and  one  soul.     Not 


66  THE  lord's  holy  supper. 

quarrelsome  and  unpeaceable,  not  spiteful  and  envious,  not 
wrathful  and  hateful,  not  malicious,  not  obstinate  or  rancorous, 
one  toward  another,  not  like  the  ambitious,  covetous  of  honor, 
or  the  haughty  of  this  world;  but  in  all  things,  one  toward 
another,  be  long  suffering,  friendly,  peaceable,  ever  ready  to 
serve  his  neighbor  in  true  Christian  love,  in  all  things  possible; 
by  exhortation,  by  reproof,  by  comforting,  by  assisting,  by 
counseling,^ with  deed  and  with  good,  yea,  in  labor,  with  body 
and  Ufe.  (Eph.  4.)  Ready  to  forgive  one  another,  as  Christ 
forgave  us,  and  served  us  by  his  word,  with  his  life  and  death. 
As  Paul  says:  Put  on,  therefore,  as  the  elect  of  God,  holy  and 
beloved,  bowels  of  mercies,  kindness,  humbleness  of  mind, 
meekness,  long  suffering;  forbearing  one  another,  and  forgiving 
one  another,  if  any  man  have  a  quarrel  against  any;  even  as 
Christ  forgave  you,  so  also  do  ye.  And  above  all  things,  put 
on  charity,  which  is  the  bond  of  perfectness;  and  let  the  peace 
of  God  rule  in  your  hearts,  to  which  also  ye  are  called  into 
one  body,  and  be  thankful.     (Col.  3.) 

And  again,  as  in  the  natural  body,  the  more  honorable  mem- 
bers, such  as  the  eye,  the  ear,  the  mouth  do  not  proscribe  the 
less  honorable,  and  they  also  do  not  envy  the  more  honorable ; 
but  every  member  in  its  place,  is  peaceable,  and  contributes  to 
the  good  of  the  whole  body,  whether  it  is  honorable  or  feeble; 
and  thus  in  the  church  of  the  Lord,  God  gave,  says  Paul,  some 
apostles,  some  prophets;  some  evangelists;  some  teachers.  Let 
every  one  be  mindful  that  he  boasts  not  of  the  things  he  has, 
for  it  is  all  the  grace  of  God.  Let  every  one  attend  to  his  duty, 
to  the  perfecting  of  the  saints  for  the  work  of  the  ministry,  for 
the  edifying  of  the  body  of  Christ;  till  all  come  in  the  unity  of 
faith,  and  the  knowledge  of  the  Son  of  God  into  a  perfect  man, 
unto  the  measure  of  the  the  stature  of  the  fullness  of  Christ. 
CEph.  4.) 

This  is  also  set  forth  in  the  holy  supper;  but  how  the  world, 
calling  themselves  Christians,  live  up  to  this,  is  shown  by  their 
fruits  and  actions. 

In  the  fourth  place,  we  have  to  observe:  That  the  holy  supper 
is  the  communion  of  the  body  and  blood  of  Christ;  as  Paul 
says:  The  cup  of  blessing  which  we  bless,  is  it  not  the  commu- 
nion of  the  blood  of  Christ?  The  bread  which  we  break,  is  it 
not  the  communion  of  the  body  of  Christ?  (1  Cor.  10.) 

Since  then  it  is  a  communion,  as  said,  I  would  fraternally 
exhort  all  of  you,  that  you  would  earnestly  examine  yourselves, 
whether  you  have  been  made  partakers  of  Christ?  CHeb.  3.) 
Whether  you  are  flesh  of  his  flesh,  and  bone  of  his  bone? 
(Eph.  5.)  Whether  you  are  in  Christ,  and  Christ  in  you?  For 
all  who  would  worthily  eat  of  this  bread,  and  drink  of  this  cup, 
must  be  changed  and  renewed  in  the  inner  and  outer  man 


THE  LORD'S  HOLY    SUPPER.  67 

through  the  power  of  the  divine  word  and  the  operation  of  faith; 
(John  3;  2  Pet.  1,)  and  be  of  a  new  mind,  as  new  creatures 
born  of  God,  and  translated  from  Adam  into  Christ;  be  of  a 
Christian  disposition,  long  suffering,  peaceable,  merciful,  affec- 
tionate and  truly  humble,  and  be  obedient  to  the  word  of  the 
Lord.  The  proud,  ambitious,  selfish  and  sensual  heart  must  be 
circumcised.  (Col.  2.)  The  evil  eye  must  be  plucked  out,  (Matt. 
18, >  the  ear  that  delights  to  hear  evil,  must  be  closed;  the 
unprofitable,  backbiting  tongue  must  be  bridled;  the  unclean, 
bloody  hand  must  be  cleansed;  the  unclean,  unchaste  flesh  must 
be  corrected,  &c.  (Isa.  2.)  They  must  lead  a  crusade  against 
the  world,  the  flesh  and  the  devil;  their  loins  must  be  girt 
about  with  truth;  having  on  the  breast-plate  of  righteousness; 
their  feet  shod  with  the  preparation  of  the  gospel  of  peace; 
they  must  be  armed  with  the  shield  of  faith;  with  the  helmet 
of  salvation,  and  the  sword  of  the  spirit.  CEph.  6;  1  Tliess.  5.) 
They  must  be  led  by  the  spirit  of  (^od,  to  become  the  sons  of 
God;  and  strive  with  all  their  powers,  that  they  may  be  like- 
minded  with  Christ  Jesus.  (Phil.  2;  Rom.  8.)  When  he  insti- 
tuted and  celebrated  it  with- his  beloved  disciples;  he  said:  AVith 
desire  I  have  desired  to  eat  this  passover  with  you  before  I 
I  suffer.  And  then  he  took  the  cup  and  gave  thanks  and  said : 
This  is  my  body  which  is  given  for  you.  Likewise  also  the  wine : 
This  is  the  cuj)  of  the  New  Testament  in  my  blood,  &c.  This 
do  in  remembrance  of  me.  (Matt.  22;  Mark  14;  Luke  22;  1 
Cor.  11.)  As  if  he  had  said:  Behold,  dear  children,  so  far  has 
that  love  which  I  have  had  for  you  and  the  whole  human 
family,  and  shall  ever  have  for  you,  constrained  me.  that  I  left 
the  glory  of  my  Father,  came  into  this  world  of  afiliction,  and 
am  as  a  poor,  miserable  servant  to  serve  you,  (John  3,  1;  John 
4;  Rom.  8;  Phil.  1,)  for  I  beheld  that  you  all  belonged  to  Satan, 
and  there  was  none  to  redeem  you,  fHeb.  2,)  and  that  you  had 
all  gone  astray  like  erring  sheep,  and  there  was  none  who  cared 
for  you.  That  you  were  a  prey  to  devouring  wolves,  and  there 
was  none  to  ransom  you.  (Isa.  53;  Exod.  34;  Matt.  18;  Luke 
15.)  That  you  were  wounded  with  death,  and  there  was  none 
that  could  heal  you.  (Luke  10;  Exod.  16.)  Therefore,  did  I 
come  from  heaven,  and  become  a  poor,  weak  and  dying  man, 
in  all  things  like  unto  you,  sin  excepted.  ("John  1 ;  Heb.  4. ) 
In  ray  great  love  I  zealously  sought  you,  and  I  found  you 
helpless,  loathsome  and  miserable,  yea  half  dead;  (Exod.  16,) 
the  services  of  my  love  I  have  so  cordially  manifested  toward 
you;  your  sores  I  bound  up;  your  blood  I  wiped  off;  I  poured 
wine  and  oil  into  your  putrid  wounds,  (Luke  10,^  set  you  free 
from  the  jaws  of  the  bears  and  lions  of  the  pit;  I  laid  you  upon 
my  shoulders,  and  led  you  into  the  tabernacles  of  peace;  (2 
Kings  17;  Ezra  1;)  your  nakedness  I  covered;  had  compassion 


68  THE  lokd's  holy  supper. 

on  you  in  your  misery;  I  fulfilled  the  law  for  you;  (Matt.  5; 
Rom.  8;)  your  sins  I  took  away;  I  proclaimed  to  you  the 
peace,  the  grace  and  favor  of  my  Father;  I  made  known  to  you 
his  good  will;  I  pointed  out  the  way  of  trvith;  and  I  have 
powerfully  testified  to  you,  by  my  unheard-of  signs  and  great 
miracles,  that  I  am  the  true  Messiah,  the  promised  Prince  and 
Saviour.     (Isa.  53;  1  Pet.  2;  Gen.  49;  Job  17;  John  3.) 

Beloved  children,  so  long  as  I  have  been  with  you,  taught 
my  Father's  word,  admonished,  reproved  and  comforted  in  his 
name ;  but  now  my  hour  is  at  hand ;  this  night  I  shall  be 
betrayed.  All  what  the  prophet  said  of  me  has  come  to  an 
end.  CMatt.  26;  Luke  22.)  But  since  I  can  serve  you  no 
longer  with  my  doctrine  and  life,  I  will  at  last  serve  you  with 
my  painful  sufferings. 

And  this  is  the  reason  why  I  called  you  to  this  supper,  so  that 
I  might  institute  a  memorial  in  the  use  of  bread  and  wine,  and 
that  you  might  occasionally  come  together  after  my  death,  and 
commemorate  the  gracious  favors  of  my  ardent  love,  so  abun- 
dantly manifested  to  you-ward;  and  especially  that  I  loved 
you  so  dearly,  that  I  offered  my  body  for  you,  and  shed  my 
blood  for  you.  Greater  love  hath  no  man  than  this,  that  a 
man  lay  down  his  life  for  his  friends.  (1  Cor.  11;  John  lo.)  I 
have  by  my  death  obtained  for  you  everlasting  reconcihation, 
grace,  mercy,  favor  and  peace  witli  my  Father,  as  I  told  you 
namely:  Even  as  the  Son  of  man  came  not  to  be  ministered 
unto,  but  to  minister,  and  to  give  his  life  a  ransom  for  many. 
(Matt.  20.) 

Beloved  reader,  take  notice  of  the  word  of  the  Lord  and  the 
institution.  For  where  this  holy  supper  is  celebrated  with  such 
faith,  love,  devotion,  peace,  harmony,  and  so  much  cordiality, 
there  Jesus  Christ  is  present  with  his  grace,  spirit  and  promise, 
and  with  the  merits  of  his  sufferings,  misery,  flesh,  blood,  cross 
and  death ;  as  he  himself  says :  Where  two  or  three  are  gathered 
together  in  my  name,  there  am  I  in  the  midst  of  them.  (Matt. 
18.)  But  where  the  knowledge  of  Christ,  active  faith,  new 
life.  Christian  love,  peace  and  harmoiiy  do  not  exist,  there  is 
not  the  Lord's  supper,  but  a  despising  of  the  blood  and  death 
of  Christ,  a  consolation  of  the  impenitent,  a  seducing  hypo- 
crisy, and  open  blasphemy  and  idolatry.  Aa,  alas!  we  know 
and  see  by  the  world. 

O!  delightful  assembly  and  Christian  banquet,  called  and 
ordained  of  the  Lord  himself,  where  there  are  no  sensual  plea- 
sures to  gratify  the  flesh,  but  where  are  set  forth  the  glorious, 
holy  mysteries  by  visible  signs,  under  bread  and  wine — those 
mysteries  are  set  forth,  sought  for,  and  desired  by  all  true 
Christian  beUevers.     (Matt.  26;  Mark  14;  Luke  22.) 

0!  delightful  assembly  and  Christian  banquet,  where  no  ixu=- 


THE  lord's   holy    SUPPER.  69 

seasonable,  slanderous  mockery,  and  trivial  songs  are  sung;  but 
there  obtain  the  devout,  Christian  life,  peace  and  harmony 
among  all  the  brethren;  besides  the  joyful  word  of  divine  grace, 
his  gracious  kindness,  favor,  love,  service,  tears,  prayers,  cross 
and  death,  with  delightful  praises  of  divine  thanksgiving  in 
devout  joy,  are  all  set  forth,  and  exhibited  to  all. 

O!  delightful  assembly  and  Christian  banquet;  to  which  the 
impenitent  and  proud  despisers,  according  to  scripture  are  not 
invited;  such  as  whores  and  whore-mongers,  rogues,  adulter- 
ers, debauchees,  the  giddy,  robbers,  liars,  defrauders,  tyrants, 
blood-shed  ders,  idolators,  slanderers,  &c.,  for  such  are  not  the 
people  of  the  Lord. 

But  these  are  the  people  of  Christ,  who  are  invited,  the  true 
Christians,  who  are  born  of  God,  who  have  subdued  their  sins 
and  walk  with  Christ  in  newness  of  life,  who  crucify  their  flesh, 
are  influenced  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  who  believe  God  with  all 
their  heart,  seek,  fear,  and  love  him,  and  in  their  weakness 
gladly  serve  him,  and  are  obedient  unto  him;  such  are  mem- 
bers of  the  body  of  Christ;  flesh  of  his  flesh;  and  bone  of  his 
bone.     (Eph.  5.) 

O!  delightful  assembly  and  Christian  banquet;  where  there 
is  not  excess  of  eating  and  drinking,  nor  the  ungodly  frivolity 
of  piping  and  drumming  is  heard;  but  there  the  troubled  con- 
sciences are  satisfied  with  the  heavenly  bread  of  the  divine 
word,  and  with  the  wine  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  joyful  souls,  sing- 
ing and  making  melody  in  their  hearts  to  the  Lord. 

Awaken,  0  you  who  sit  in  darkness  and  walk  in  the  region 
and  shadow  of  death.  Awaken,  I  say,  and  observe  that  the 
supper  which  you  have  to  the  present  held,  is  not  the  supper  of 
Christ,  but  of  Antichrist;  not  the  table  of  the  Lord;  but  the 
table  of  the  devil.  For  it  is  generally  dispensed  only  by  open 
deceivers,  and  worshippers  of  idols;  and  received  by  a  people 
that  is  as  yet  quite  dissolute,  sensual,  disbelievers  of  the  word 
of  God  and  obstinate  thereto.  And,  moreover,  they  believe  it 
to  be  the  real  body  and  blood  of  the  Lord,  and  celebrate  it  with 
such  unbecoming,  heathenish  pomp  and  splendor  O!  abomi- 
'n able  idolatry! 

Beloved  reader,  I  bear  Avitness  to  the  truth  in  Christ  and  lie 
not;  I  tell  you  that  the  holy  supper  of  Christ  is  not  to  be  dis- 
pensed by  a  deceiver,  nor  to  be  received  by  an  impenitent  and 
obstinate  sinner.  Nor  does  it  require  such  a  gorgeous  and 
splendid  array  to  celebrate  it;  as  the  world  is  wont  to  celebrate 
it.  Neither  golden  vessels,  nor  hypocritical  semblance  of  con- 
fessions, absolution,  bowing  and  smiting  upon  the  breast,  &c., 
but  it  must  be  celebrated  with  a  broken  heart,  and  humble 
mind ;  with  unfeigned,  ardent  love,  with  peace  and  joy  in  the 
Holy  Ghost.     Again,  I  say  awaken,  and  reflect  upon  what  I 


'J'O  THE  lord's  holy   SUPPElt. 

write.  God's  word  and  his  work  are  no  dead  letter;  it  is  not 
buffoonery.  Noris  it  the  sounding  of  many  bells  and  organs, 
and  singing;  but  it  is  a  heavenly  power  and  a  living,  moving 
of  the  Holy  Ghost,  which  warms  the  heart  and  mind  of  the  be- 
lievers; pervades,  comforts,  anoints  and  enlivens  them;  makes 
them  joyful  and  happy  in  God.  For  this  is  the  true  nature 
and  power  of  the  Lord's  word,  if  it  be  rightly  preached,  and  of 
his  holy  sacraments,  if  rightly  used. 

It  is  therefore  high  time  to  take  heed  to  the  word  of  the 
Lord.  For  all  who  are  earthly  and  sensually  minded  are  not 
born  of  God  and  his  word,  are  obstinately  averse  to  the  Lord's 
word;  love  not  their  neighbors,  nor  are  ready  to  help  them;  all 
these  are  not  the  community  of  God,  therefore  they  cannot  be 
part  of  his  body  or  guests  at  his  table.  For  Paul  says:  To  be 
carnally  minded,  is  death.  (Rom.  8;  John  3.)  Christ  says: 
Those  who  are  not  born  from  above  cannot  see  the  kingdom  of 
God.  And  Samuel  says:  Disobedience  is  as  iniquity  and 
idolatry.  (1  Sam.  15,  23.)  John  says:  He  that  loveth  not 
his  brother,  (neighbor)  abideth  in  death.  Again,  he  that 
loveth  not,  knows  not  God,  for  God  is  love.  In  short,  without 
love,  all  preaching,  all  faith,  baptizing,  celebrating  the  Lord's 
supper,  and  prophesying,  are  vain,  profit  nothing.     (1  Cor.  13.) 

We  do,  therefore,  admonish  all  those  desiring  to  celebrate 
this  supper,  that  they  might  rightly  learn  to  know  what  the 
true  supper  is — what  it  signifies — how  it  is  to  be  used,  and  who 
are  to  celebrate  it.  And  then  also  to  examine  themselves  well, 
as  Paul  teaches,  before  they  eat  of  this  bread  and  drink  of 
this  cup;  that  they  do  not  comfort  themselves  with  the  visible 
sign,  and  err  in  regard  to  the  reality,  represented  by  these 
signs;  for  they  who  know  not  Christ  and  his  righteousness, 
believe  not  him  and  his  word,  and  walk  not  according  thereto, 
but  according  to  the  superstitious  doctrines  and  commands  of 
men,  though  they  sit  down  at  the  Lord's  table,  they  eat  and 
drink  damnation  to  themselves. 

All  who  have  received  the  word  of  the  Lord  through  faith, 
and  acknowledged  it  to  be  true,  and  have  again  transgressed 
it,  and  have  not  continued  to  walk  in  the  truth,  but  are  walk- 
ing again  in  the  broad  way,  have  returned  to  the  love  of  the 
world,  and  are  rejecting  Christ  and  his  word,  and  depending 
upon  the  seducing  doctrines,  the  interpretations  and  promises 
of  the  learned,  such  have  no  part  at  the  Lord's  table,  for  they 
are  without  God;  as  John  says:  Whosoever  transgresseth,  and 
abideth  not  in  the  doctrine  of  Christ,  hath  not  God.  (2 
Johnl.) 

AU  who  walk  in  their  heart's  pride,  and  despise  their  poor, 
distressed  neighbor,  and  know  not  that  they  themselves  are 
poor  mortals,  seed  of  Adam,  and  food  for  worms,  and  a  wilted 


THE  lord's  holy    StJPPEH.  71 

flower,  yea  dust  and  earth,  whether  they  are  emperor,  king, 
rich  or  learned,  &c.,  and  sit  down  at  the  Lord's  table  with  a 
proud  heart,  eat  and  drink  damnation  to  themselves. 

All  who  boast  of  the  Lord's  spirit,  name,  covenant,  word, 
knowledge,  merits,  grace,  blood  and  death,  and  yet  reject  his 
holy  counsel,  doctrine,  command,  ordinance  and  his  unblamable 
example,  or  reject  and  grieve  his  Holy  Spirit,  hate,  defraud 
and  belie  their  ueighbor,  and  sit  down  at  the  Lord's  table,  eat 
and  drink  damnation  to  themselves. 

All  who  love  houses,  lands,  friends,  children,  honor,*  ease  of 
flesh,  voluptuousness,  and  this  life,  more  than  they  do  Christ 
and  his  word,  though  attending  the  Lord's  table,  eat  and  drink 
damnation  to  themselves.  Christ  says:  He  that  loveth  any- 
thing more  than  me,  is  not  worthy  of  me,  and  cannot  be  my 
disciple.     (Matt.  10;  Luke  14.) 

And  this  is  the  sum  of  the  whole  matter,  that  all  those  who 
would  sit  down  at  the  Lord's  table,  with  the  disciples  and 
guests  of  Christ,  whether  rich  or  poor,  high  or  low,  must  be 
sound  in  faith,  unblamable  in  conduct  and  life.  None  are  ex- 
cepted, neither  emperor  nor  king,  nor  prince  nor  earl,  knight 
nor  nobleman.  Yea,  as  long  as  they  err  in  doctrine  and  faith, 
and  are  in  their  lives  sensual  and  blamable,  they  are  by  no 
means  to  be  sufl"ered  to  commime  with  tlie  pious  and  penitent, 
to  appear  at  the  holy  supper;  for  they  are  not  in  Christ,  but 
must  remain  without,  till  they  sincerely  repent  and  are  con- 
verted to  Christ,  walk  in  the  ways  of  the  Lord,  and  be  of  one 
spirit  and  one  faith  with  Christ  and  his  church.  For  the  Lord's 
supper  is  a  communion  of  the  flesh  and  blood  of  Christ,  which 
is  not  to  be  given  to  the  ungodly  and  obdurate  as  a  pledge  of 
reconciliation,  but  to  the  sincere,  penitent  Christian  believers. 

If  any  one  has  a  good  appearance  before  men,  and  is  in- 
wardly proud,  avaricious,  sensual  and  without  the  spirit  of 
God,  he  is  not  judged  of  the  church,  but  of  the  Lord  himself, 
the  searcher  and  trier  of  men's  hearts,  and  reins,  as  the  scrip- 
ture says.  (Ps.  7;  Jer.  17;  Rom.  8;  Rev.  2.)  We  do,  there- 
fore, admonish  all  those  who  would  go  to  the  Lord's  table,  to 
examine  themselves  before  they  approach;  for  all  who  eat  un- 
worthily of  this  bread,  and  drink  of  this  wine,  eat  and  drink 
damnation  to  themselves.     (1  Cor.  11.) 

Thus,  beloved,  does  the  holy  supper  instruct  and  admonish 
us:  first,  the  bread,  as  the  body  of  Christ,  which  he  offered  for 
us,  and  the  cup,  the  blood  of  Christ,  which  he  shed  in  great 
love,  for  the  remissson  of  oui'sins.  (Matt.  26;  Mark  14;  Luke 
22.)  In  the  second  place,  we  are  admonished  to  union,  love 
and  peace,  which  must  be  among  all  true  Christians,  according 
to  the  spirit,  doctrine  and  example  of  Christ;  for  Paul  says: 
For  we  being  many,  are  one  bread,  and  one  body,  ifcc.    (1  Cor. 


'J'2  OF  THE  CiOEBUPTION  OF  TflE  HOLTf  SUPPER. 

10.)  In  the  third  place,  we  are  admonished  to  true  regenera- 
tion, to  all  righteousness,  thanksgiving,  peace  and  joy  in  the 
Holy  Ghost,  to  a  pious  and  unblamable  life.  For  it  is  a  com- 
munion of  the  blood  and  body  of  Christ,  of  which  no  one  is  a 
partaker,  nor  can  be,  unless  he  is  born  of  God,  dead  unto  sin, 
an  humble,  peaceable,  pious  Christian,  one  who  is  in  Christ, 
and  Christ  in  him;  flesh  of  his  flesh,  and  bone  of  his  bone. 
This  is  to  be  a  true  partaker  of  the  body  and  blood  of  Christ; 
as  Paul  says:  For  we  are  made  partakers  of  Christ,  if  we  hold 
the  beginning  of  our  confidence  steadfast  unto  the  end.  (John 
3;  Eph.  5;  Heb.  3.) 

Behold,  beloved  readers,  here  you  have  the  true  instructions 
concerning  the  Lord's  Holy  Supper,  with  its  significations, 
fruit,  power,  nature,  and  the  guests,  as  the  mouth  of  the  Lord 
and  the  holy  apostles  have  left  it  and  taught  us.  The  usages 
and  ordinances  which  belong  to  the  church  of  God,  are  to  be 
observed  and  kept  with  knowledge,  faith,  love,  union,  peace 
and  piety. 

Here  compare  the  supper  of  the  world  with  tlm,  and  you  will 
know  the  true  one;  what  an  abomination  the  Antichrist  has 
made  of  it,  and  what  enchantments  he  practiced  by  it,  and  how 
we  poor  sinners,  with  all  our  forefathers,  have  offered  incense, 
as  idolatrous  Israel  of  old,  for  hundreds  of  years,  unto  the 
brazen  serpent,  (2  Kings  8;  Exod.  33,)  and  danced  before  the 
golden  calf.  (2  Chron.  12.)  O!  my  faithful  reader,  fear  God, 
with  all  your  heart,  examine  the  scriptures,  and  believe  the 
truth. 


OF  THE  COERUPTION  OF  THE  HOLY 
SUPPER. 

The  scriptures  teach  that  we  have  no  other  offering  for  sin 
than  the  body  of  the  Lord,  (Isa.  53;  Matt.  20,  26;  Rom.  3; 
Heb.  9,  10, )  as  before  said.  But  because  the  enemies  of  Christ, 
have  possessed  the  cathedral  for  so  many  years,  and  according 
to  scripture,  have  altered  the  laws  of  the  Most  High,  and  have 
instead  thereof,  erected  their  abomination  of  desolation,  (Deut. 
7, )  and  have  altered  and  corrupted  the  holy  supper  with  their 
councils,  power  and  false  doctrine,  till,  alas!  it  retains  but  the 
shadow,  and  the  mere  name,  and  they  did  this  to  destroy  and 
corrupt  the  true,  eternal  offering  of  Christ,  which  only  avails 
with  .God,  and  changed  it  into  a  daily  offering  for  sin,  as  we  may 


OF  THE  CORK  OPTION  OF  THE  HOLY  SUPPER.      73 

plainly  read  in  the  canons  of  the  mass;  which  undoubtedly  is 
an  abomination  of  abominations;  for  thereby  Jesus  Christ, 
with  his  all-sufficient,  eternal  offering,  is  abolished  and  made 
of  none  effect  though  he  is  the  propitiation  and  mediation  of 
the  New  Testament.  He  is  thrust  from  his  throne  of  maj&sty; 
his  merits,  cross,  blood,  and  death  rejected :  yea,  all  the  types 
and  shadows  of  Moses,  all  predictions  of  the  prophets;  the 
promise  of  angels,  and  the  whole  New  Testament,  are  thereby 
denied,  for  they  all  harmoniously  point  to  the  one  and  eternal 
offering  of  Christ;  in  opposition  to,  and  instead  of  it,  they 
ordained  an  unholy,  blind,  seductive  and  sensual  idolatry,  with  a 
piece  of  bread!  Beloved  reader,  here  put  no  other  construe- 
tion  upon  these  words;  what  I  write  is  the  truth. 

It  has  come  so  far  with  this  ungodly  seducing  corruption, 
that  they  have  arrogated  to  themselves  all  power  in  heaven 
above,  upon  earth,  and  in  hell  below;  they  therefore  break  the 
bread  into  three  pieces.  With  the  first^  they  reconcile  God; 
witli  the  second,  they  intercede  for  the  world;  and  with  the 
thirdy  as  they  pretend,  they  pray  for  the  souls  in  purgatory. 

Through  this  accursed  infamy  they  rose  so  high  in  honor, 
that  they  are  above  all  the  potentates  of  earth,  (Acts  17,) 
whom  they  made  their  own  servants.  By  their  hypocritical 
service  and  enchanting  idolatry,  they  hold  in  possession  money, 
goods,  gold,  silver,  land,  rents,  cloisters,  cities,  principalities  and 
the  dominions  of  this  world,  because  every  one  who  loved  this 
splendid  service  as  holy  and  divine,  honored  and  feared  their 
exalted  and  pompous  names  as  the  messengers  of  God ! 

By  this  ingenious  and  subtle  magic,  the  Roman  Antichrist 
has  gained  such  respect  and  authority,  that  even  the  imperial 
majesty,  the  highest  sovereignty  on  earth,  whom  we  are  com- 
manded of  God  to  respect  and  obey,  had  to  humble  himself 
and  kiss  his  feet;  yea,  what  is  still  worse,  Frederick  Barbarossa, 
a  prudent  man,  an  emperor  of  renown,  could  not  be  reconciled 
with  Pope  Alexander  III.  until  he  humbled  himself  at  Venice, 
before  the  church,  and  suffered  the  Pope  to  tread  upon  him 
with  his  feet! 

Behold,  thus  Antichrist  has  enchanted  the  whole  world  with 
his  offering.  The  gracious  Father  be  eternally  praised,  that 
he  has,  through  his  paternal  grace  delivered  us,  his  poor  chil- 
dren, from  this  enchanting  offering,  and  given  us  to  know  the 
only  and  eternal  offering  of  his  son,  Jesus  Christ,  who,  accord- 
ing to  the  order  of  Melchisedek,  is  ordained  an  eternal  high 
priest  over  the  house  of  God;  who,  in  the  days  of  his  flesh, 
offered  up  prayers  and  supplications  with  strong  crying  and 
tears,  unto  him  that  was  able  to  save  from  death,  and  was 
heard,  because  he  honored  God.  (Heb.  5,  7,  9, 10.)  This  one, 
I  say,  offered  an  acceptable  offering,  a  sweet  smelling  sacrifice 

4 


•74  OF   THE   COERTJPTION   OF   THE   HOLY  SUPPER. 

of  eternal  worth,  whereby  he  appeases  the  Father's  wrath,  re- 
conciles the  human  race,  opened  heaven,  and  closed  hell;  and 
made  peace  between  heaven  and  earth ;  and  sits  now,  and 
henceforth,  at  the  right  hand  of  his  Father,  till  his  enemies  be 
made  his  foot-stool,  (Col.  1;  Ps.  109,)  yea,  with  this  one  offer- 
ing, he  has  perfected  forever  all  those  who  are  sanctified.  This 
cannot  be  gainsayed,  whether  by  emperor  or  king,  doctor  or 
teacher,  angel  or  devil.  This  word  stands  firmly  and  im- 
movable. He  has  with  one  offering,  I  say  with  one  offering, 
perfected  for  ever  those  who  are  sanctified.     (Heb.  10.) 

O,  my  beloved  reader!  I  mean  all  those  who  are  without  the 
spirit  of  Christ  and  his  word,  take  heed  what  the  word  of  the 
Lord  teaches  you,  and  observe  the  true  doctrine  of  Christ,  the 
true  sacraments,  the  true  teachers,  the  true  church  and  the 
true  christian  life,  so  that  you  may  once  learn  to  know  what 
kind  of  pastors  feed  you ;  what  kind  of  baptism  and  supper 
you  practice  ;  by  what  kind  of  offering  you  are  reconciled  ;  what 
kind  of  lives  you  lead,  and  of  whose  body  you  are  members. 

O  how  long,  says  Solomon,  will  you  simple  ones  love  sim- 
plicity? And  you  scorners  delight  in  scorning?  How  long 
will  you  remain  prisoners  of  sin?  How  long  will  you  remain 
in  the  communion  of  the  devil,  and  suffer  yourselves  to  be . 
dragged  down  to  the  abyss  of  hell  by  the  cords  of  unbelief? 
Awake,  and  ransom  your  poor  souls!  Come  out  from  among 
them!  Avoid  every  appearance  of  evil;  (Isa.  52;  2  Cor.  6; 
Rev.  18;  1  Thess.  5;)  believe  in  Christ  Jesus;  repent  and  lead 
an  unblamable  life;  follow  Christ  with  a  sincere  heart;  enter 
into  the  house  and  covenant  of  his  everlasting  peace,  into  the 
communion  of  his  flesh  and  blood.  Take  upon  you  his  easy 
yoke  and  you  will  find  rest  for  your  souls,  (Matt,  11,)  and  you 
may  then  of  a  truth  say  that  you  are  Christians;  that  you  have 
obtained  the  remission  of  your  sins,  by  the  grace  of  God, 
through  the  merits  of  Christ;  and  that  you  are  joint  heirs  of 
the  eternal  kingdom.  May  God  grant  his  grace  to  you  all. 
Amen. 

In  the  second  place,  they  made  the  bread,  in  the  holy  sup- 
per, into  the  real  flesh,  and  the  wine  into  the  real  blood  of 
Christ,  and  understood  the  words  of  Christ  literally:  Take, 
eat,  this  is  my  body,  &c.,  and  did  not  observe  that  Christ 
(John  6)  does  fully  instruct  us,  how  we  are  to  eat  his  flesh  and 
drink  his  blood,  and  says,  that  it  would  profit  nothing  really  to 
eat  his  flesh,  and  to  drink  his  blood,  for  this  could  not  be  done, 
because  he  was  about  ascending  to  heaven  where  he  was  be- 
fore ;  we  are  therefore  not  literally  to  understand  this  eating  of 
his  flesh,  and  drinking  of  his  blood;  but  spiritually,  as  he  him- 
self says:  The  words  that  I  speak  unto  you,  they  are  spirit, 
and  they  are  life.     All  those  who  thus  vmderstand  this  from  the 


OF  THE  CORRUPTION  OF  THE  HOLY  SUPPER.  '75 

scriptures,  are  called  and  accursed  as  heretics  and  profaners  of 
the  sacrament,  and  suffer  for  it  by  water,  fire  and  the  sword. 

0  dear  Lord!  is  this  not  an  ungodly  error,  and  great  blind- 
ness, to  teach  and  to  believe;  that  a  piiece  of  bread,  and  a  drink 
of  wine  should  be  changed  into  the  real  and  essential  flesh  and 
blood  of  the  son  of  God,  whereby  we  may  be  delivered  from 
hell,  the  devil,  sin  and  death,  and  are  made  children  of  grace? 
O,  horrible  heresy! 

O  you  poor,  miserable,  blind  people,  believe  the  words  of 
Christ,  when  he  says:  It  is  the  spirit  that  quickeneth;  the 
flesh  profiteth  nothing;  the  words  that  I  speak  unto  you,  they 
are  spirit,  and  they  are  life.  Believe  that  he  ascended  up  to 
heaven  and  is  at  the  right  hand  of  his  Father,  (Mark  16;  Luke 
24;  Rom.  8,)  therefore  he  cannot  be  eaten  nor  conftned  in  the 
body  by  any  one,  nor  is  he  to  be  placed  upon  any  altar,  nor  can 
he  be  consumed  by  fire  or  worms,  as  is  evidently  the  case 
with  the  visible  bread  and  wine.     (Col.  3.) 

But  where  the  Lord's  church,  the  beloved  disciples  of  Christ, 
who  have  met  in  his  name,  celebrate  the  holy  supper  in  true 
faith,  love  and  obedience,  there  the  outward  perishable  man 
eats  perishable  bread  and  wine;  and  the  inner,  the  imperish- 
able man  of  the  heart,  spiritually  eats  the  imperishable  flesh 
and  blood  of  Christ,  which  can  neither  be  eaten  nor  destroyed, 
as  above  said;  like  is  profited  by  like;  this  is  incontrovertible. 
The  visible  man  is  nourished  upon  visible  food,  and  the  invisi- 
ble man  is  fed  upon  invisible  bread,  as  we  may  plainly  learn 
from  the  mouth  of  the  Lord.     (John  6.) 

Therefore,  all  who  are  in  Christ  and  with  believing,  peni- 
tent hearts,  know  and  rely  upon  the  pure  offering  of  the  body 
and  blood  of  Christ,  that  it  is  the  only  sacrifice  and  ablution 
for  their  sins,  the  only  and  eternal  medium  of  grace,  eat  the 
true  flesh  and  drink  the  true  blood  of  Christ,  not  with  their 
mouths,  but  spiritually,  by  faith,  as  said  before. 

The  reader  may  readily  observe  from  these  words,  that  the 
bread  is  no  flesh,  and  that  the  wine  is  no  blood;  for  were  they 
flesh  and  blood,  as  the  idolators  pretend  and  teach  the  poor 
people,  one  of  two  consequences  must  follow:  either  the  per- 
ishable bread  and  wine  are  changed  into  the  imperishable  and 
heavenly  Son  of  God,  or  the  Son  of  God  must  be  changed  into 
bread  and  wine.     This  is  incontrovertible. 

O  dear  Lord !  they  are  more  ignorant  than  the  heathens  ever 
were;  true,  the  heathens  worshipped  sun,  moon  and  stars, 
which  have  their  influence  upon  things  below.  They  wor- 
shipped the  ox,  the  dragon,  serpents,  fire,  and  other  creatures, 
some  of  which  had  living  breath  within  them.  They  also  wor- 
shipped images  of  wood,  stone,  gold  and  silver,  made  by  skilful 
workmen,  who  cast,  carved  and  decorated  them  in  the  likeness 


t6  OP  THE   CORRUPTION  OF   THE  HOLT   SUPPER. 

of  man.  But  those  wlio  are  called  by  the  name  of  Christ,  pray- 
to,  worship  and  adore  a  piece  of  bread  and  a  mouthful  of  wine, 
as  the  real  flesh  and  blood  of  Christ,  who  came  from  heaven 
for  our  salvation,  and  was  made  an  offering  upon  the  cross  for 
our  sins.  O  intolerable  abomination  and  infamy!  that  the 
praise  of  God,  the  glory  of  Jesus  Christ,  is  converted  and 
changed  into  such  a  feeble  idol,  which  can  neither  speak,  hear 
nor  see;  neither  can  stand  nor  walk,  which  worms  eat  and  fire 
consumes;  and  must  be  locked  up,  preserved,  assisted,  and 
carried  about  by  the  hands  of  men,  like  the  idols  at  Babylon, 
of  which  Baruch  writes. 

O  my  faithful  reader,  rightly  learn  to  know  Christ  Jesus. 
He  is  not  like  the  fabulous  Proteus  but  he  is  now  the  everlast- 
ing, almiglity  Son  of  the  eternal,  omnipotent  God,  and  not  a 
perishable  creature,  bread  and  wine.  Oh  no!  Ije  is  unchange- 
able through  all  eternity.  Neither  can  he  be  confined  in  any 
house,  church  nor  chamber,  in  silver  nor  golden  vessels;  for, 
according  to  his  eternal  divine  being,  heaven  is  his  throne  and 
the  earth  his  footstool,  and  according  to  his  holy  humanity,  he 
ascended  into  heaven  and  sits  at  the  right  hand  of  his  Father. 
(Isa.  66;  Acts  6,  17;  Mark  16;  Acts  1;  Rom.  8.)  He  is  the 
eternal  and  almighty  power,  brightness,  word,  truth,  wisdom 
and  image  of  God.  (Heb.  1;  Matt.  28;  Eph.  1;  Phil.  2.)  He 
has  all  power  in  heaven  above  and  on  earth  below;  all  things 
are  under  him;  every  knee  has  to  bow,  and  every  tongue  to 
confess  to  him,  that  he  is  the  Lord,  to  the  honor  and  glory  of 
his  Father,  (Matt.  26;  Rev.  1,)  and  he  will  not  appear  again  in 
the  flesh,  but  he  will  come  in  the  clouds  of  heaven  to  judge  the 
goats  and  sheep.     (Matt.  25.) 

Therefore  I  say  again:  That  he  cannot  be  eaten,  nor  can  Jbe 
digested  in  the  body  of  man.  Augustine  well  knew  this, 
when  he  says:  Why  do  you  make  ready  to  eat?  only  believe, 
and  you  have  eaten  him. 

Beloved  reader,  we  well  know,  that  Augustine  did  not  write 
this  of  the  natural  eating  of  the  holy  supper;  but  of  the  spiri- 
tual eating,  which  is  by  faith;  and  with  that  view,  we  adduced 
it,  so  that  the  godfearing  reader  might  see  the  difterence  be- 
tween outward  and  inward  eating,  and  not  mistake  the  one  for 
the  other;  for  the  external  use  of  the  sign  is  nothing  but  a 
false  appearance  and  hypocrisy,  if  the  thing  which  is  invisibly 
represented,  is  not  connected"  with  it.  That  this  is  the  case 
with  infant  baptism  and  the  world's  supper,  may  be  readily 
proved  from  the  scriptures;  but  where  the  mystery  is  connect- 
ed with  the  sign,  for  which  purpose  it  is  ordained,  there  is  the 
baptism  of  Christ,  and  his  supper,  as  the  scriptures  teach. 
BuFthis  is  hidden  from  the  world.  They  know  that  the  scrip- 
tures teach  a  supper,  but  what  it  actually  is,  what  it  prefigures 


OF   THE   CeHEUPTION  OF  THE   HOLY   SUPrER.  77 

and  who  are  ]to  enjoy  it,  they  know  not,  the  Babylonian 
whore  has  so  completely  deceived  and  bewitched  them  in  this 
matter.     (Rev.  17.) 

The  holy  supper,  as  taught  by  Christ  and  his  apostles,  re- 
proves all  idolatry;  foreign  mediums  of  reconciliation;  hatred, 
discord  and  unrighteousness;  for  it  directs  alone  to  the  one 
offering  of  Christ  which  was  made  by  his  flesh  and  blood,  once 
for  all,  as  related;  it  represents  Christian  peace,  harmony, 
brotherly  love,  and  a  pious,  unblamable  life,  as  already  said. 
For  that  reason  they  are  forsaking  the  Lord's  word  and  ordi- 
nances, and  have  turned  away  from  the  Creator  to  the  creature, 
and  from  the  true  reality,  to  the  perishable  signs;  yea,  they 
call  the  disgraceful  mass,  the  sacrifice  of  the  Lord;  and  the 
bread  and  wine  his  real  flesh  and  blood;  for  this  is  the  custom 
and  manner  of  the  ungodly,  because  they  know  not  the  true 
God — God  of  heaven  and  earth,  and  hate  the  true  service,  and 
are  inimicable  thereto,  believe  not  his  holy  and  worthy  word; 
in  God's  stead  they  have  a  visible  and  tangible  creature;  and  a 
service  of  their  own  choice.  So  did  Israel  with  the  golden 
calves,  with  Baal  and  Moloch;  and  Antioch  with  his  Maosim, 
(god  of  forces,)  (Exod.  31;  1  Kings  12;  Jer.  7.  5r  Deut.  20; 
Sam.  12,)  the  Babylonians  with  their  Belus;  the  Egyptians 
with  their  Isis,  &c.  From  the  source,  all  disgraceful  idolatry, 
which  is  practiced  with  this  abomination,  such  as  carrying 
about  the  bread,  exalting  it,  praying  thereto,  offering  of  incense 
on  every  occasion  to  pay  it  divine  honor  and  divine  service. 
Concerning  which  there  is  not  a  letter  in  all  the  scriptures. 
Yea,  alas  I  many  esteem  it  so  highly,  that  they  say  this  is  the 
same  one  who  reconciled  us  upon  the  cross.  Even  as  Israel 
said  to  the  calf:  These  be  thy  gods,  O  Israel,  which  have 
brought  thee  up  out  of  the  land  of  Egypt.     (Exod.  32.) 

Beside  this,  the  use  of  the  cup  is  withheld  from  the  people  in 
the  Roman  church.  If  it  were  the  Lord's  supper,  as  they  pre- 
tend, they  would,  in  every  respect,  use  it  according  to  the  ordi- 
nance of  the  Lord.  But  this  custom  shows  that  ib  is  not  the 
supper  of  Christ,  but*a  deluding  seduction  of  Antichrist. 

Therefore,  be  wise  and  sober,  you  who  name  yourselves  after 
the  name  of  Christ.  Spew  out  the  wine  w^liich  you  have  drunk 
of  Babylonian  whoredom.  (Rev.  17.)  You  have  danced  and 
burned  incense  long  enough  to  the  golden  calf.  Give  the 
Almighty  the  praises  and  honor  due  him:  lest  it  happen  to  you 
as  it  did  to  faithless,  disobedient  and  idolatrous  Israel.  (1  (5or. 
10.)  Although  the  Lord  God  graciously  I'edeemed  them  from 
the  power  and  tyranny  of  Pharaoh,  yet  they  had  to  sufter  pun- 
ishment on  account  of  their  unfaithfulness  and  obstinacy,  and 
w^ere  destroyed  in  the  wilderness.  (Exod.  14.)  And  so  it  is 
also  in  vain  that  we  are  redeemed  by  the  blood  of  the  Lord 


78  OF  THE  CORRUPTION  OF  THE  HOLY  SUPPER. 

from  the  dominion  and  power  of  the  devil,  if  we  do  not  repent, 
but  remain  idolaters,  and  believe  not  in  Jesus,  and  are  not 
obedient  nor  live  according  to  his  word  in  our  weakness.  (Ps. 
94;  Heb.  3,  4.) 

In  the  third  i^lace  they  teach  that  this  bread  is  dispensed  for 
the  remission  of  sins.  My  faithful  reader,  take  notice  of  what 
I  write.  Where  Jesus  Christ  and  his  word  and  spirit  are  not 
known  and  acknowledged,  there  is  nothing  but  unbelief,  idola- 
try, error,  and  an  uncertain  wavering  conscience,  as  may  be 
seen. 

All  seek  some  remedy  for  their  sins,  but  the  true  remedy, 
Christ,  they  do  not  acknowledge;  hence  they  have  contrived  so 
roany  remedies,  that  we  can  neither  describe  nor  relate  them 
all;  such  as  absolution,  holy  water,  fastings,  confessions,  masses, 
pilgrimages,  infant  baptism,  bread  and  wine,  &c.,  &c. 

I  know  not  to  whom  to  compare  this  race,  other  than  to  a 
sick  and  wounded  person,  who  has  entrusted  himself  under  the 
care  of  an  unskilful  physician,  who  can  give  him  no  suitable 
medicines,  and  apply  no  healing  plasters;  he  spends  his  money 
in  vain;  he  suffers  pain  and  affliction;  and  is  getting  worse 
instead  of  better.  A  skilful,  experienced  and  philanthropic 
physician  is  recommended,  who  would  visit  him  without  money 
and  without  price,  bind  up  his  wounds,  and  would  gladly  cure 
him;  but  the  sick  man  will  not  receive  such  a  well-disposed 
physician!  Who  then  could  feel  for  such  a  man,  because  he 
would  rather  perish  than  get  well  ? 

So  it  is  with  this  perverse  race.  They  feel  and  are  sensible, 
at  times,  that  they  are  failing  and  sick,  but  they  seek  medicine 
and  counsel  of  those  who  sicken  them  still  more  with  their 
poison;  and  are  not  healed  of  their  wounds  and  cured  of  their 
disease.  fMatt.  9.)  -They  refuse  the  skilful,  the  heavenly  chi- 
rurgen  and  physician,  Jesus  Christ,  recommended  by  all  the 
patriarchs,  prophets,  apostles  and  by  angels,  yea,  appointed  of 
the  Father  himself — him  they  will  not  have  who  would  wil- 
lingly visit  all  so  deadly  wounded;  he. offers  his  services  with- 
out money  and  without  price;  he  has  a  well  scented,  healing 
salve,  good  to  heal  our  wounds — it  is  his  powerful  word,  to 
instruct;  and  his  crimson  blood,  to  reconcile,  as  was  said. 
(Matt.  11;  John  7;  Luke  10.)  But  they  desire  him  not;  they 
turn  away,  and  persecute  him  with  all  manner  of  false  doc- 
trine, with  contumely,  with  lies,  betrayings,  mitiny,  and 
murder;  as  he  has  fully  shown.  TLuke  19.)  O  dear  Lord! 
counsel  thou  with  this  disobedient,  perverse  and  blind  people. 

My  worthy  reader,  we  testify  the  truth  in  Christ;  beware, 
believe,  obey,  hope  and  seek,  where  and  what  you  desire;  we 
are  assured  that  you  will  find  no  other  remedy  to  all  eternity, 
for  your  sins,  in  the  word  of  God,  which  can  stand  before  God, 


OF  THE  CORRUPTION  OP  THE  HOLY  SUl'PER.       79 

than  the  one  we  pointed  out  to  you,  Jesus  Christ;  else  the 
scriptures  must  be  false. 

Thus  says  Isaiah :  I,  even  I,  am  he  that  blotteth  out  thy 
transgressions  for  mine  own  sake,  and  will  not  remember  thy 
sins. 

He  was  wounded  for  our  transgressions.  (Isa.  53.)  The 
angel  said  to  Joseph:  Thou  shalt  call  him  Jesus,  for  he  shall 
save  his  people  from  their  sins.     (Matt.  1.) 

This  is  my  blood  of  the  New  Testament,  which  is  shed  for 
many,  for  the  remission  of  sins.     (Matt.  26.) 

Lo  this  is  the  lamb  of  God  which  taketh  away  the  sins  of 
the  whole  world.     (John  1  ) 

For  he  made  him  to  be  sin  for  us,  who  knew  no  sin,  that  we 
might  be  made  the  righteousness  of  God  in  him.     (3  Cor.  5.) 

Who,  his  own  self,  bore  our  sins  in  his  own  body  on  the  tree. 
(1  Pet.  3.) 

The  blood  of  his  own  son,  Jesus  Christ,  cleanses  us  from  all 
sin.     (1  John  1.) 

He  loved  us,  and  washed  us  from  our  sins  in  his  blood. 
(Actsl.) 

My  good  readers,  look  well  to  yourselves,  and  do  not  deceive 
yourselves;  if  there  were  any  other  remedy  for  sin,  as  related, 
we  might  then  with  propriety  say,  that  these  and  other  pas- 
sages have  not  rightly  directed  us;  and  holy  Paul  also  erred 
not  a  little,  when  he  says:  For  there  is  one  God,  and  one 
Mediator  between  God  and  man,  the  man  Christ  Jesus,  who 
gave  himself  a  ransom  for  all,  to  be  testified  in  due  time.  (1 
Tim.  3.) 

All  those,  however  holy  they  may  appear,  who  seek  for  an- 
other remedy  for  their  sins,  instead  of  the  remedy  provided  by 
God,  deny  the  Lord's  death,  which  he  died  for  us,  and  his 
innocent  blood  which  he  shed  for  us;  and  they  are  those  of 
whom  the  Lord  complains  and  says,  through  his  prophet 
Jeremiah:  For  my  people  have  committed  twofold  evils,  they 
have  forsaken  me,  the  fountain  of  living  waters,  and  have 
hewn  them  out  cisterns  that  can  hold  no  water. 

And  all  false  doctrine  goes  to  deny  the  true  throne  of  grace, 
Jesus  Christ,  who  alone  is  our  righteousness,  acceptable  to  God ; 
and  all  the  erectings  of  strange  Baals,  who  are  worshipped  and 
honored  in  Christ's  stead,  do  so  likewise. 

Behold,  beloved  sirs,  friends  and  brethren,  here  you  have  the 
salutary  truth  and  the  only  ground  of  the  Lord's  supper,  plainly 
and  briefly  set  before  you  what  it  is,  for  whom  it  is  ordained, 
and  what  it  teaches,  and  represents  to  us  with  its  mysteries 
and  significations. 

And  you  have  also  a  view  of  the  anti-christian  supper,  with 
its  dreadful  abominations,  whereby  the  Lord's  supper  is  de- 


80  OF  SHUNNING  BABYLON. 

stroyed,  and  the  kingdom  of  Antichrist  is  fortified,  and  is 
placed  in  the  stead  of  God's  throne,  whereby,  alas!  tens  of 
thousands  of  poor  souls  were  and  are  yet  daily  deceived.  On 
account  of  which  so  many  pious  are  so  slanderously  spoken  of 
and  reproached  by  the  learned,  and  so  dreadfully  murdered  and 
slain  in  some  cities,  because  they  renounce  this  abominable 
idolatry. 

Place  these  two  beside  each  other — weigh  them  well  by  the 
spirit,  word  and  ordinances  of  the  Lord,  and  you  will  find,  if 
you  do  at  all  believe  that  the  word  of  God  is  true,  to  what  an 
abominable  pitch  idolatry  has  risen,  and  that  we  have,  accord- 
ing to  our  feeble  abilities,  plainly  explained  to  you  the  im- 
movable foundation  of  truth  out  of  the  word  of  God. 

Praise  the  Most  High,  all  of  you  who  fear  the  Lord,  that  he 
has  manifested  his  unbounded  love  and  grace  to  us-ward,  poor 
sinners,  in  this  dreadful  .time  of  unbelief;  that  he  let  shine  out 
of  darkness  the  clear  light  of  the  holy  gospel,  which  was  con- 
cealed for  several  centuries  in  this  dark  Egypt,  under  the  clouds 
of  the  anti-christian  abominations.     (2  Cor.  4. ) 

Therefore,  let  us  be  vigilant  thereto,  and  diligently  walk 
therein,  so  that  thick  darkness  may  not  again  cover  us,  as  the 
prophet  says.     (Jer.  13.) 

O  my  dear  reader,  rightly  learn  to  know  Jesus  Christ,  who 
ordained  this  holy  supper  and  breaking  of  bread  for  his  disci- 
ples and  all  Christians.  Believe  the  glorious  and  unspeakable 
gifts  of  his  grace.  Fear,  love,  honor  and  serve  him;  walk  in 
godly  union,  in  love  and  peace  with  your  neighbor,  even  as 
this  supper,  with  its  representation,  testifies  and  admonishes; 
die  to  your  wicked  flesh,  crucify  its  unclean  lusts;  in  all  things 
subm.it  to  the  spirit  of  the  Lord  and  his  word;  imitate  his 
example,  and  your  supper  will  redound  to  the  praise  ot  the 
Lord,  and  it  will  be  a  blessing  to  your  souls  to  eternal  life. 


OF   SHUNNING  BABYLON. 

We  further  teach  and  admonish  from  the  word  of  God,  that 
all  true  children  of  God,  who  are  regenerated  from  the  incor- 
ruptible living  seed  of  the  divine  word,  who  have  separated 
themselves,  according  to  the  scriptures,  from  the  idolatrous 
race,  and  yielded  to  the  yoke  and  cross  of  Christ,  and  who  are 
able  to  judge  between  true  and  false  doctrines — between  Christ 
and  Antichrist — must  shun,  accorning  to  scripture,  all  seducing 


OF  SHUNNING  BABYLON.  81 

and  idolatrous  preachers  with  their  doctrines,  sacraments  and 
worship,  (Jer.  23;  Matt.  7,  15,  16;  John  10;  Rom.  16.)  They 
must  avoid  all,  of  every  sect,  creed  and  name,  who  are  not 
found  in  the  pure  doctrine  of  Christ,  and  in  the  scriptural  usage 
of  his  sacraments.  (1  Tim.  6;  2  Tim.  2,  3;  Tit.  3;  2  John  1;) 
because  they  have  neither  calling,  doctrine,  nor  life,  according 
to  the  word  of  God,  but  are  sent  by  Antichrist,  and  ordained 
in  his  employment  and  service.     And 

Because  they  not  only  fail  to  observe  the  pure  doctrine  of 
Christ,  and  to  conform  to  the  established  usages  of  the  apostolic 
church,  in  relation  to  the  holy  sacraments,  but  to  vain  con- 
fusion, they  add  (as  has  been  stated)  abominable  and  open 
idolatry. 

Because  they  have  deceitfully  mingled  the  light  froth  of 
man's  doctrine,  with  the  fair,  precious  gold  of  the  divine  word, 
and  the  pure  wine,  with  the  unclean  waters  of  their  foolish 
wisdom.     (Isa.  1;  2  Chron  25,  26.) 

Because  they  so  shamefully  censure,  and  would  willingly 
root  out  and  destroy  the  holy  city  of  God,  the  city  of  righteous- 
ness and  eternal  peace  ;  the  lovely  Jerusalem  with  its  sacred 
temple,  the  house  of  prayer,  and  rule  therein  with  their  spirit- 
ual mart,  Pharasaic  commands,  and  enchanting  traffic.  (Isa. 
56 ;  Jer.  7 ;  Matt.  21 ;  Mark  11  ;  Luke  19  ;  John  2  ;  2  Pet.  2.) 

Because  they,  like  Belshazzar,  in|their  Babylonian  idolatries, 
so  miserably  misuse  and  degrade  the  precious  vessels  and  uten- 
sils of  the  Lord — the  precious  souls  whom  he  has  consecrated 
with  his  crimsoned  blood,  (1  Pet.  1)  and  by  whom  the  true 
service  of  the  Lord  should  be  performed.  (Rev.  1 ;  Dan.  5.) 

Because,  like  Herod,  they  mock  Christ,  the  eternal  "Wisdom 
of  God,  as  a  fool  arrayed  in  a  fool's  garment;  and  his  holy 
apostles,  the  witnesses  of  eternal  truth,  they  regard  as  useless 
talkers  and  liars,  and  thrust  them  out  with  scorn.    (Luke  27.) 

In  short,  they  preach  and  lay  before  the  poor  people  lies  for 
truth ;  darkness  for  light ;  death  for  life ;  and  Antichrist  for 
Christ. 

Therefore,  it  is  unfit  that  the  bride  of  Christ,  who  stands 
prepared  to  hear  only  the  bridegroom's  voice — the  dear  chil- 
dren of  God  who  have  their  feet  washed  and  their  garments 
cleansed  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  (John  3  :  13;  Rev.  7.)  who 
are  established  upon  the  immovable  foundations  of  the  apos- 
tles and  prophets,  upon  the  precious  corner-stone,  Christ 
Jesus,  (Eph.  2,)  should  again  hear  the  strange  voice  and  doc- 
trines of  Antichrist,  and  again  defile  their  garments,  (John 
10,^  and  in  faith,  doctrines,  worship,  and  life  accord  with 
Antichrist.  They  who  do  so,  (if  they  repent  not)  are  con- 
demned by  the  scriptures  and  adjudged  to  death,  (2  Pet.  2  ; 
Rom.  1  ;  1  Cor.  6 ;  Gal.  3 ;  Rev.  21,  22.) 

4.* 


82  OF  THE  SENDIKG  OF  PREACHEKS. 

This  we  teach  according  to  our  limited  talents,  with  all  ear- 
nestness, not  out  of  contempt,  (as  the  Lord  knows, ^  nor  yet 
out  of  obstinacy,  capriccy  or  party  stubbornness,  as  the  world 
ascribes  to  us.  Oh  no  !  God  preserve  all  his  own  from  party 
spirit.  But  we  so  preach  out  of  the  x)ure  fear  of  the  Lord  and 
the  great  distress  and  burthen  of  our  consciences.  God's 
pressing  word,  and  love  for  your  poor  souls,  urge  us,  (Gal.  5,) 
as  may,  through  the  grace  of  God,  be  seen  with  clearness 
hereafter. 


OF  THE  SENDING  OF  PREACHEES. 

AccortDiNG  to  the  scriptures,  the  sending  of  true  preachers 
was  performed  in  two  ways  :  some  were  called  by  God  alone, 
without  any  human  instrumentality,  as  was  the  case  with  the 
prophets  and  apostles.  Others  were  called  through  the  medium 
of  the  pious,  as  may  be  seen  from  Acts  1:  14;  1  Tim.  3;  Tit.  1. 
We  hope  no  one  will  be  so  ignorant  ^who  is  otherwise  of  a 
candid  and  rational  mind, )  but  that  he  will  know  that  the  whole 
scriptures,  both  of  the  Olcl  and  New  Testaments,  were  written 
for  our  instruction,  admonition  and  correction;  and  that  they  are 
the  true  sceptre  and  rule  by  which  the  Lord's  kingdom,  house, 
church  and  congregation  must  be  governed  and  adjusted,  (Rom. 
15;  l.Cor.  10;  2  Tim.  3;  Ps.  44;  Heb.  1;  Rev.  21.)  Every 
thing,  whether  it  be  doctrines,  sacraments,  worship  or  conduct, 
which  should  be  measured  by  this  infallible  rule,  and  divine 
justifying  sceptre,  without  any  respect  to  persons,  if  not  so 
measured  and  adjusted,  will  be  destroyed  and  brought  to  noth- 
ing. Therefore  would  we,  your  willing  servants  and  associates, 
of  like  mortal  nature  with  you,  each  one  in  the  office  and 
station  to  which  he  is  called,  humbly  admonish  you,  in  all  love, 
that  yon  would  reflect  on  the  salvation  of  your  immortal  souls, 
a-iid  would  rightly  examine  the  sending  or  calling,  the  doctrine 
and  lives  of  the  bishops,  pastors  and  preachers  of  your  churches. 
Examine  them  by  the  aid  of  the  spirit  of  the  Lord  and  by  the 
doctrines  and  customs  of  the  apostles,  because  you  have  perse-" 
cuted  and  destroyed  so  m«;uy  pious,  godly  christians,  by  th# 
idols'  houses  of  the  ungodly,  which  are  suppoi*ted  by  the  bloodjr 
havoc-cries  of  the  learned.  Yea,  we  doubt  not  but  that  if  yG*a; 
follow  our  advice  with  a  sincere  heart,  you  will  soon  perceive,^ 
that  we,  miserable  men,  do  nothing  more  in  this  matter,  than- 
God's  own  word  teaches  and  enjoins;  and  that  your  preachets- 


OF  THE  SENDING  OF  PREACHERS.  83 

are  not  the  servants  of  Christ,  but  Mrelings,  hypocrites,  deceivers 
and  mockers,  concerning  whom  the  scriptures  Avarn  us,  on  every 
side,  and  represent  them  under  many  evil  names.  (John  10; 
Matt.  29;  2  Peter  3;  Jude  G.) 

Candid  reader!  let  this  be  to  you  a  true  and  unwavering  rule: 
All  who  rightly  preach  Christ  and  his  word,  and  thereby  bring 
forth  obedient  children  to  the  Lord,  (Rom.  10,)  such  must  have 
been  called  through  one  of  the  aforementioned  means.  They 
must  have  been  brought  into  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord,  through 
unfeigned  love  of  God  and  man — through  the  power  of  the 
Holy  Ghost.  They  must  improve  the  talent  of  grace  which 
they  have  received  from  God,  (Matt.  9;  Luke  10.)  They  must 
rebuke  sin,  and  teach  faith  and  righteousness,  without  "any  re- 
spect to  persons,  (Matt.  25;  Luke  19,)  they  must  set  forth  the 
Lord's  word  and  praise:  they- must  perform  correctly  the  work 
and  service  of  the  Lord  and  bring  the  gathered  sheaves  into  his 
barn  and  acquired  wealth  into  his  treasury.  Such  a  shepherd 
was  the  faithful  Moses;  for  when  the  Lord  informed  him  that 
Israel  had  made  a  molten  calf,  he  hastened  from  the  mountains, 
and  when  he  heard  the  tumult  and  saw  the  multitude  sporting, 
and  dancing,  a  provoked  zeal  burned  in  his  heart,  so  that  he  cast 
down  and  broke  the  stone  tables  which  the  Lord  had  written 
with  his  own  finger.  He  cared  neither  for  life  nor  death,  but 
rushed  forth  among  the  idolatrous  people,  and  rebuked  them  by 
word  and  by  sword,  because  they  gave  to  a  molten  creature  the 
honor  of  Almighty  God,  who  with  such  love  gloriously  effected 
their  deliverance  from  Egypt.     (Exod.  32.) 

When  Zacharias,  the  son  of  Barachias,  a  man  full  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  saw  the  false  worship  of  the  people,  he  hazarded 
his  life,  and  stood  forth  for  the  honor  of  the  Lord.  He  rebuked 
his  brethren — erring  Israel,  and  said  :  Why  transgress  ye  the 
commandment  of  the  Lord  that  ye  cannot  prosper.  (2  Chron.  24.) 

Also  the  worthy  prophet,  Jeremiah,  was  burthened  with  suf- 
fering and  cares.  He  was  much  troubled  on  account  of  his* 
faithful  services,  and  had  determined  in  his  heart  to  prophesy 
uo  more  in  the  Lord;  but  when  he  saw  the  people  were  ungodly 
nor  acted  nor  spoke  aright,  he  said,  God's  word  was  in  my  heart 
as  a  burning  fire  shut  up  in  my  bones,  and  I  was  weary  with 
forbearing  and  I  could  not  stay.     (Jer.  20.) 

Again,  also  holy  Paul  says:  (1  Cor.  9.)  Wo  is  unto  me,  if  I 
preach  not  the  gospel;  for  if  I  do  this  thing  willingly,  I  have  a 
reward;  but  if  against  my  will,  a  dispensation  of  the  gospel  is 
committed  unto  me. 

Behold,  my  good  reader,  all,  who  by  such  a  power  arc  touched 
in  their  hearts,  who  are  moved  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  who  are 
pressed  by  love  to  God  and  man,  and  urged  by  the  Lord  him- 
self, or  by  his  spotless  Christian  church,  are  rightly  called  to  the 


84  OF  THE  BENDING  OF  PEEACHEBS. 

service  of  the  Lord— to  instruct,  admonish,  threaten,  correct  and 
comfort  the  house  of  God,  the  church  of  Christ,  with  sound 
doctrine  and  an  unblamable  life;  to  set  forth  and  administer  the 
Lord's  holy  baptism  and  supper,  in  a  right  manner;  to  repel 
diligently,  with  God's  word,  all  deluding  and  false  teachers,  to 
exclude  all  evil  members  from  the  communion  of  the  godly,  &c. 
To  such,  the  word  of  Christ  is,  I  send  you  as  my  father  has  sent 
me,  (John  20;)  without  such  a  sending  no  one  can  ever  rightly 
preach  the  gospel,  as  Paul  says  :  How  can  they  preach  except 
they  be  sent.     (Rom.  10.) 

Yes,  it  was  with  this  sending  and  calling  that  all  prophets, 
apostles  and  servants  of  God  came  forth.  They  sought  not 
their  own  honor,  as  the  preachers  of  this  world  do;  but  like 
Aaron,  they  were  called  by  God,  or,  as  has  been  said,  by  the 
spotless  church.  They  were  brought  by  the  spirit  of  God,  with 
pious  hearts,  into  his  service ;  they  had  always  esteemed  them- 
selves unfit  to  serve  the  people  of  God,  or  stand  forth  in  such  a 
high  and  responsible  station.  (Heb.  5;  Acts  1,  14;  1  Tim.  3; 
Tit.  1.) 

When  Moses  was  called  of  the  Lord,  that  he  might  lead  out 
the  people,  he  refused  from  his  heart — he  excused  himself  and 
declined,  because  he  was  of  a  slow  tongue ;  he  desired  not  the 
ofifice  to  which  the  Lord  had  chosen  him — yea,  he  resisted  so 
long  that  the  Lord  was  angry.  (Exod.  4.) 

Isaiah  was  confounded  because  he  was  to  preach  the  word 
of  the  Lord.  He  lamented  that  he  was  of  unclean  lips  till  the 
angel  purged  them  with  a  coal  from  off  the  holy  altar.   (Isa.  6.) 

Jeremiah  was  called  and  prepared  from  his  birth  by  God,  to 
be  a  prophet ;  he  said  :  Ah  Lord  God  !  I  am  not  fit  to  preach, 
for  I  am  but  a  child.  CJer.  1.) 

Peter  was  asked  by  the  Lord  three  times,  if  he  loved  him, 
before  he  gave  him  charge  of  his  sheep.  (John  21.) 

Paul  was  called  from  heaven,  and  appointed  by  the  Lord 
himself  in  the  service  of  the  Gospel ;  for  the  Lord  chose  him 
as  suitable  for  the.  ministry.  (1  Tim.  1 ;  Acts  9  ;  Gal.  1.)  Mat- 
thias was  chosen  through  the  zealous  prayers  of  the  church, 
and  the  lots  of  the  ai)ostles,  to  be  an  apostle  in  Judas'  stead. 
(Actsl.) 

All  who  are  not  sent  by  God,  nor  by  an  unblamable  church, 
conformably  to  the  regulations  of  Christ  and  the  apostles  are 
not  called,  (as  above  said.)  Such  are  not  called  by  the  Holy 
Ghost,  by  the  sincere  love  of  God  and  their  brethren,  and  with 
correct  knowledge  and  zeal  for  the  divine  word,  but  they  enter 
upon  it  with  a  temporal,  sensual  life,  seeking  man's  favor, 
praise,  money  and  profit.  They  will  never  gather  fruit  in  the 
vineyard  of  the  Lord,  though  they  may  be  learned  in  language, 
eloquent  and  esteemed  a«  great  and  excellent  men.     But  all 


OF  THE  BENDING  OF  PREACHEEB.  86 

that  they  attempt  is  lost  labor.  They  will  rise  early,  and  go 
out  long,  but  their  calling  is  powerless,  their  service  is  vain, 
their  labor  without  fruit,  yea,  it  is  nothing  but  seeding  by  the 
way,  and  beating  against  the  wind ;  for  no  one  can  serve  in 
this  high  and  holy  office,  conformably  to  God's  will,  except 
those  whom  the  Lord  of  the  vineyard  has  made  worthy  and  fit, 
Ijy  the  spirit  of  his  grace. 

Since  then,  this  sending  is  the  true  sending  and  calling, 
which  is  taught  in  the  scriptures,  (as  has  been  observed, )  we 
faithfully  counsel  the  reader,  that  in  the  pure  fear  of  God,  he 
would  mark  what  kind  of  people  their  teachers  are ;  how,  of 
whom,  in  what  way,  and  to  what  they  are  called.  For  it  is 
manifest  that  some  of  them  are  useless,  haughty,  lustful  men ; 
some  are  avaricious,  usurers,  liars,  deceivers,  idolators,  &c., 
concerning  whom  it  stands  written  :  If  they  repent  not,  they 
shall  not  inherit  the  kingdom  of  God.  (Rom.  1;  1  Cor.  6; 
Gal.  5;  Eph.  5.)  Some  also,  are  idle  profligates,  young  and 
haughty,  wholly  unlearned  in  the  scriptures ;  and  were 
anointed  by  Antichrist,  when  they  obtain  a  little  knowledge 
of  the  Latin  tongue,  like  as  if  the  qualifications  for  the  minis- 
try and  for  the  care  of  our  souls  were  not  to  be  founded  upon 
godliness  and  the  gifts  of  grace,  but  upon  language  !  Oh  no, 
my  reader,  no,  their  foundation  must  be  sought  for  more 
deeply. 

Besides,  this,  those  so  chosen,  desire  nothing  but  an  indo- 
lent, carnal  life  and  filthy  lucre  and  benefices,  which  heretofore 
Antichrist  and  his  servants  have  collected  together  and  multi- 
plied by  means  of  sorcery,  theft  and  robbery. 

They  are  only  called  by  carnal  love,  favor  and  faction  :  one 
has  a  son,  another  a  brother,  a  third  a  friend,  a  fourth  is  made 
willing  by  money  and  gifts. 

They  are  also  with  a  similar  spirit  installed  and  established 
in  their  office ;  to  wit :  With  eating,  drinking,  gormandizing 
and  luxury;  with  pompous  greeting,  choir  letters,  appellations, 
presentations,  investitures,  and  such  like  anti-christian  titles. 
But  by  whom  are  they  thus  called?  By  the  church?  No. 
Christ's  church  knows  no  such  callings,  customs,  practices 
and  teachers,  but  they  are  called  by  the  assemblies  of  the  im- 
penitent, the  haughty,  avaricious  and  unchaste,  by  gamblers, 
drunkards  and  idolators,  who  neither  know  God  nor  his  word, 
but  who  abuse,  persecute  and  hate  all  Christian  truth  and  walk 
after  the  lusts  of  the  flesh . 

Again,  to  what  are  they  called  ?  That  they  may  genuinely 
preach  the  word  of  God  ?  That  they  may  go  before  the  poor 
people,  with  doctrines  and  conduct  consistent  with  the  com- 
mands of  scripture  ?  0  no  :  but  that  they  may  teach  the  doc- 
trines and  commandments  of  men  :  that  they  may  withstand 


86  OF  THE  SENDING  OF  PREACHERS. 

the  holy  ti*uth,  and  betray  the  pious  and  godly,  who  refrain 
from  the  broad  way,  into  the  hands  of  the  blood-thirsty. 

But,  beloved  reader,  why  shall  I  much  lament ;  it  is  yet 
much  worse  than  can  be  written.  One  blind  man  calls  another; 
one  idolator  another  ;  one  ungodly  man  another.  It  is,  as  the 
prophet  said,  deceivers,  liars,  drunkards,  and  gluttons  are 
good  prophets  for  this  people.     (Mich.  2.) 

O  sensual  preacher !  You,  who  with  Korah,  Dathan,  and 
Abiram,  CNum.  16)  ran  uncalled — particularly  you  who  know 
that  your  calling  and  conduct  are  not  of  the  word  and  spirit  of 
God,  judge  your  hearts  by  the  word  of  the  Lord,  fear  his  rigid 
punishment  and  severe  sentence,  and  reflect  how  the  afore- 
mentioned persons,  for  the  same  reason,  were  fearfully 
destroyed  by  the  Lord  before  all  Israel.  (Num.  16.) 

It  suits  perverted  fleshly  ease  to  live  in  voluptuousness  here 
upon  earth,  with  fattened  bodies — ^vith  gloves  on  the  hands,  with 
ostentatious  show — to  be  greeted  by  men  as  doctor,  lord 
and  master.  (Luke  16.)  But  when  the  messenger  of  death  shall 
knock  at  the  door  of  your  souls  and  say,  '  'give  an  account,"  you 
will  no  longer  remain  as  stewards  and  hirelings.  When  you 
must  appear  before  the  throne  of  the  eternal  Majesty,  (Rom. 
14,)  and  the  poor  miserable  souls  which  you  have  misled  with 
your  false  and  deceiving  doctrine,  idolatries,  sorceries,  and 
ungodly  wanton  lives,  shall  be  required  at  your  hands,  O  where 
then  shall  you  conceal  yourselves  from  the  wrath  of  God?  Then 
shall  ye  cry,  0  ye  mountains  fall  upon  us,  and  ye  hills  cover  us. 
CRev.  16.)  O  then  you  will  know  what  kind  of  calling  ye  had; 
what  kind  of  life  you  led,  that  ye  served  no  other  God  than 
your  belly,  the  devil,  and  your  selfish  evil  flesh,  (Phil.  3;  Jer. 
14,  27,  29;  Ezek.  34,)  that  you  ran'unsent  and  came  uncalled, 
that  you  sought  nothing  but  the  milk,  wool  and  flesh  of  the 
sheep,  (Matt.  15,)  and  that  one  blind  man  has  led  another,  till 
both  have  fallen  into  the  abyss  of  the  eternal  wrath  of  Almighty 
God — into  the  torments  of  hell.     (Luke  6.) 

O  precious  souls!  waken  up  and  fear  God,  for  the  hour  draws 
near  that  this  your  momentary  laugh  will  be  changed  into  an 
eternal  wail,  (James  5, )  these  short  lived  joys  to  eternal  pain, 
and  this  easy  carnal  life  to  death  and  endless  wo.  Jude  says: 
Wo  to  them!  for  they  have  gone  in  the  way  of  Cain,  and  ran 
greedily  after  the  error  of  Balaam  for  reward,  and  perished  in 
the  gainsaying  of  Core.  Again,  to  them  is  reserved  the  black- 
ness of  darkness.     (2  Pet.  2;  Jude  1.) 

Behold,  beloved  sirs,  friends  and  brethren,  we  openly  declare 
that  the  sending  and  calling  of  your  preachers  are  neither  of 
God  nor  his  word,  but  are  from  Antichrist,  the  dragon  and  the 
beast.  (Rev.  13.)  That  they  are  not  called  to  preach  the  word 
of  the  Lord,  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  and  the  church,  but  they  are 


OF  THE  DOCTRINE  OF  THE  PREACHERS.         87 

called  and  urged  by  their  lusts  with  the  priests  of  Jeroboam,  to 
worship  the  golden  calf.  (1  Chron.  12.)  They  enter  not  in  by 
the  right  door,  therefore,  we  testify  from  the  scriptures  that 
they  are  thieves  and  robbers.     (John  10.) 

Since  then,  we  have  been  saved  out  of  the  mouths  of  the 
lions  and  bears  of  the  pit,  (Heb.  13;  1  Kings  17)  and  out  of  the 
snares  of  concealed  thieves  and  robbers,  through  the  great 
Shepherd  of  the  Sheep — the  High  Priest  of  our  souls,  Christ 
Jesus,  and  are  now  upon  the  chosen  and  fruitful  mountain  of 
Israel,  (Ezek.  34,)  and  the  green  luxuriant  pastures  of  the  holy 
word  (the  Lord  be  eternally  thanked)  our  hungering  consciences 
have  been  fed  with  the  food  'of  eternal  life,  it  must  ever  be  a 
condemnable  folly  to  forsake  such  a  true  shepherd,  and  such 
precious  pastures,  and  again  enter  upon  the  barren  and  waste 
heaths,  under  the  false  shepherds  who  do  nothing  else  but  rob 
and  deprive  God  of  his  glory,  and  ruin  and  murder  our  poor 
miserable  souls.     (John  10.) 

This  I  have  said  particularly  in  relation  to  the  Popish 
Priests.  But  what  is  the  calling  and  sending  of  the  Lutherans 
ank  Zuinglians.  By  what  spirit  are  they  moved  ?  what  do  they 
seek?  and  what  fruits  of  repentance  do  they  show  by  their  doc- 
trines and  sacraments  ?  We  willingly  leave  all  the  godly  to 
judge. 


OF  THE  DOCTEINE  OF  THE  PEEACHERS. 

As  I  have  presented  to  the  reader  the  first  part  in  relation  to 
the  sending  and  calling  of  a  true  preacher,  according  to  the 
word  of  God — I  will  now,  through  the  grace  of  God,  present  in 
like  manner  the  second  part,  relating  to  the  doctrine;  for  there 
is  but  little  difference  between  their  calling  and  their  doctrine 
— as  the  calling  is,  even  so,  most  commonly,  is  the  doctrine.  . 

Where  God's  spirit  urges  or  moves  to  preach,  there  will  the 
word  be  genuinely  taught  in  the  power  of  God,  and  upright 
children  of  the  spirit  will  thereby  be  born.  But  where  flesh 
and  blood  calls,  there  will  a  fleshly  doctrine  be  taught  and  car- 
nal disciples  will  be  made,  for  that  like  produces  like  is  incon- 
trovertible. I  deem  it  unnecessary  here  to  prove  this  with  much 
scripture,  for  actions  bear  testimony. 

The  scriptures  show  plainly  how  a  rightly  called  preacher  of 
God's  word  is  to  genuinely  teach  that  word  without  perverting 
glosses— without  any  mingling  of  leaven — as  Peter  says :  If 


88         OF  THE  DOCTEINE  OF  THE  PEEACHERS. 

any  man  speak,  let  him  speak  as  the  oracles  of  God,  (1  Peter 
4.)  They  are  the  children  of  the  Holy  Ghost  who  speak  the 
word  of  the  Spirit,  as  Christ  said  :  For  it  is  not  ye  that  speak, 
but  the  Spirit  of  your  Father  which  speaketh  in  you.  (Matt. 
10.)  For  he  whom  God  hath  sent  speaketh  the  words  of  God. 
(John  3.)  It  is  the  highest  and  heaviest  command  enjoined  by 
Christ  to  preach  the  word  salutarily  and  unblamably.  He  said: 
Go  into  all  the  world  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature. 
(Mark  16.) 

The  Gospel,  the  unmingled  words  of  God,  preached  in  the 
power  of  the  spirit,  is  the  only  right,  true  seed,  out  of  which 
believers,  obedient  children  of  God,  are  born. 

Therefore  may  nothing  else  be  preached  in  Christ's  kingdom 
and  house — the  church — except  her  king  and  husband's  own 
commands  and  words,  according  to  which  she  and  all  her  ser- 
vants must  conform. 

The  same  command  and  word  (I  say)  all  Christ's  true  mes- 
sengers preached,  as  he  spoke:  Preach  the  gospel,  (Mark  16) 
and  teach  them  to  observe  all  things  whatsoever  I  have  com- 
manded you.     (Matt.  28.) 

My  faithful  reader,  observe,  that  all  the  true  servants  of 
God,  both  of  the  Old  and  New  Testament,  taught  nothing  but 
God's  word,  as  may  be  seen  and  read  in  many  places  in  the 
scriptures. 

Moses  is  found  faithful  of  God  in  all  his  house.  He  regu- 
lated and  taught  nothing  which  God  had  not  before  commanded 
him.     CHeb.  3;  Num.  12.) 

Isaiah,  and  all  the  other  prophets,  testified  in  many  places 
what  kind  of  doctrine  they  taught,  and  from  whom  they  had 
received  it.  They  said  :  Thus  saith  the  Lord  your  God,  who 
brought  you  out  of  the  land  of  Egypt :  Thus  spake  the  Lord 
of  Hosts  :  Again  the  mouth  of  the  Lord  has  spoken  it.  (Isa. 
40,  42 ;  Jer.  9,  11 ;  Ezek.  4,  7.)  Paul  dare  not  speak  of  any- 
thing which  Christ  had  not  wrought  through  him.  (Rom.  15.) 
Yea,  Christ  himself  did  not  teach  his  word,  but  the  word  of 
his  father,  (John  7,)  as  he  said,  my  doctrine  is  not  mine,  but 
is  of  him  who  sent  me  :  All  that  I  have  heard  of  my  Father, 
that  have  I  declared  unto  you.  (John  15.)  Since  then  the  true 
messengers  of  God  taught  nothing  but  the  Lord's  word,  which 
is  the  only  doctrine  from  which  our  souls  can  obtain  eternal 
life,  as  the  Lord  said.  (Deut.  6  ;  Matt.  4  ;  Luke  4.)  So  it  is 
easy  here  to  mark  and  to  judge  what  kind  of  teachers  they 
are  who  direct  the  poor  uncultivated  people  to  legends,  his- 
tories and  fables  ;  to  holy  days,  images,  tapers  and  palms  ;  to 
confessions,  pilgrimages,  masses  and  matins  ;  who  teach  of 
purgatory,  vigils,  times,  bulls,  offerings,  and  satisfactions  for 
souls  and  sins,  who  also  make  a  piece  of  bread  and  a  drink  of 


OF  TfiE  DOCTEINE  OF  THE  PIlEACHEllS.  89 

wine,  to  be  the  essential  body  and  blood  of  Christ.  Who 
teach  and  say  that  when  they  have  but  spoken  these  words, 
^^Hoc  est  corpus  meum^''''  (tliis  is  my  body)  the  Lord,  willing  or 
not  willing,  must  descend  into  their  idolatrous  hands,  even 
though  the  Heavens  should  rend  asunder,  and  the  earth  crum- 
ble down  !    O  blasphemy ! 

O  dear  Lord !  my  heart  trembles  in  my  body  that  I  must 
relate  and  mention  such  terrible  abominations.  But  because 
the  simple  plain  people,  who  cannot  guard  themselves  against 
these  deceivers,  are  born  with  blind  eyes  and  the  hands  and 
feet  of  their  conscience  bound,  by  these  useless  men,  down  to 
eternal  death,  and  the  gulf  of  hell ;  so  that  1  cannot  remain 
silent,  but  must  disclose  this,  through  undissembled  love  to 
God  and  your  souls,  who  knows  but  that  God  may  give 
grace  that  you  may  be  prevailed  upon  to  hear,  your  eyes 
opened  to  see,  and  your  hearts  to  understand — that  you  may 
be  freed  from  the  snares  of  the  devil,  whereby  you  are  taken. 
(3Tim.  1.) 

Yes,  my  dear  reader,  they  have  made  lords,  princes,  and  the 
world  drunk  by  their  cup,  (Rev.  17,)  and  have  completely  be- 
witched them,  so  that  all  who  turn  from  their  shame,  and 
would  not  pervert  the  honor  of  their  Saviour,  by  a  piece  of 
bread — all  who  shun  false  teachers,  and  desire  the  salu4;ary 
administrMion  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  as  above  said,  will  be 
upbraided  by  all  men,  as  profaners  of  the  holy  sacrament,  and 
as  degraded,  cursed  heretics,  they  must  suffer  and  take  to 
flight. 

O  blind  leader !  you  who  throughout  your  life  have  not 
rightly  understood  one  sentence  of  the  Lord's  wofd,  nor  have 
received  one  ray  from  his  spirit,  but  have  trodden  the  kingdom 
of  God  with  your  feet,  and  have  thrust  it  from  you  with  your 
horns,  (Ezek.  34.)  how  truly  are  you  associates  of  those  of 
whom  it  stands,  written,  that  they  say  :  We  have  made  a  cove- 
nant with  death,  and  with  hell  we  are  at  agreement ;  when  the 
overflowing  scourge  shall  pass  through,  it  shall  not  come  unto 
us ;  for  we  have  lies  for  our  refuge,  and  under  falsehood  have 
we  hidden  ourselves  :  (Isa.  28)  again ;  Wo  unto  them  who  call 
evil  good,  and  good  evil;  that  pvit  light  for  darkness,  and 
darkness  for  light.  (Isa.  5.)  Wo  unto  you,  for  ye  shut  up 
the  kingdom  of  Heaven  unto  men,  said  Christ,  (Matt.  23,)  and 
make  the  poor  souls  to  err  from  the  way.  Yet  again :  Wo 
unto  you  !     (Dent.  24.) 

However,  I  am  not  much  astonished  that  such  persons  teach 
such  shameful  doctrine,  since  they  have  known  neither  Christ 
nor  his  word,  but  they  hold  and  teach  all  things  as  they  were 
taught  from  youth  up,  out  of  the  old  usages,  and  the  papistical 
laws.    But  that  which  grieves  me  most,  is,  that  those  also  w}iQ 


90         OF  THE  DOCTRINE  OF  THE  PREACHERS. 

now  are  aware  in  part  of  the  hidden  whoredom  of  the  Baby- 
lonian woman,  and  have  put  from  them  some  of  her  abomina- 
tions, yet  chng  to  human  sophistry,  so  that  they  cannot  be 
moved  nor  taught,  either  with  the  powerful  word  of  God,  or 
with  the  unblamable  lives,  the  candid  professions,  or  the  inno- 
cent blood  of  so  many  godly  saints.  Nevertheless,  some  of 
you,  have,  at  times,  to  yield  to  the  truth  with  stopped  mouths 
and  subdued  hearts,  but  still  ye  cease  not  to  upbraid  and  de- 
fame, with  envious  tongues  and  slanderous  lips,  the  bright, 
clear  truth  of  Christ,  and  the  pious  children  of  God,  before 
your  fleshly  blind  churches  which  are  of  like  calling  with  your- 
selves. This  also  your  writers  do,  as  may  be  seen  and  heard 
everywhere.  Besides,  I  fear  that  they  are  not  less  guilty  than 
the  papists  in  moving  the  lords,  princes  and  ruling  powers,  by 
commissions,  complaints,  outcries  and  writings,  to  persecute 
the  Lamb  of  God,  and  his  chosen,  (Rev.  17)  and  to  uproar, 
when  their  deceiving  leaven,  particularly  the  calf  worship 
of  their  infant  baptism,  and  their  unfounded  supper,  is 
rejected.  Let  each  one  behold  for  himself  and  learn  to 
know  them  rightly.  I  know  of  a  truth  that  they  are  with- 
out the  spirit,  the  sending,  or  the  word  of  Christ ;  for  I  am 
sensible  how  malicious  they  are  for  most  part  against  all 
wild  are  rightly  led — who  fear  the  Lord  from  the  heart  and 
would  gladly  became  Christians.  In  their  doctrines  and  deeds 
they  seek,  not  less  than  the  papists,  for  human  friendship, 
honor,  or  pride,  rest,  handsome  houses,  and  an  easy  licentious 
life. 

O  my  beloved  reader,  these  are  not  the  teachers  who  lead 
many  to  ri^teoiisness,  and  who  shall  shine  as  the  light  of 
heaven,  and  as  the  stars  now  and  in  eternity.  (Dan.  12.)  Fori 
know  not  where  a  single  congregation  shall  be  found  which  they 
have  led  with  their  doctrines  and  conduct  to  repenting  lives, 
and  to  the  worship  of  God.  Their  great  clamor  is  against  the 
pope  and  his  cardinals,  bishops,  priests  and  monks.  All  must 
be  upbraided  by  them,  as  profaners  of  the  sacraments,  anabap- 
tists, fanatics,  and  heretics,  who  through  the  word  of  God 
reprove  their  deceiving  doctrines,  idolatrous  sacraments,  idle 
lives,  and  who  would  gladly  see  the  best  of  their  poor  souls. 

Yea,  when  they  can  find  but  one,  (though  cut  off)  who  was 
before  united  with  the  people  of  God,  but  who  has  now  fallen 
into  some  vice,  they  judge  and  sentence  all  the  godly  by  this 
one.  "  Behold!"  say  they,  "what  manner  of  people  they  are." 
They  seek  nothing  so  much  as  to  find  cause  of  censure;  there- 
fore, they  look  upon  Judas,  but  not  upon  Peter,  Andrew  and 
John.  But  they  do  not  regard  what  manner  of  peoj)le  they  are 
themselves,  and  what  kind  of  disciples  they  have. 

Besides,  their  covetous,  haughty,  proud,  drunken,  impure 


OF  THE  DOCTKINE  OF  THE  PREACHERS.         91 

and  impenitent  church,  preaches  and  boasts  nothing  but  pure 
grace,  favor,  mercy,  and  love  of  God.  They  observe  not  that 
the  whole  scriptures  testify  that  such  shall  not  inherit  the  king- 
dom of  God.  They  strengthen  also  the  hands  of  the  wicked, 
so  that  no  man  reijentshimself  of  his  wickedness,  as  the  prophet 
lamented. 

O  ye  useless  unprofitable  teachers,  who  think  that  you  bear 
the  vessels  of  the  Lord — these  my  words  are  to  you!  Why  do 
you  declaim  so  much  of  faith  and  love,  whose  fruit  you  so  greatly 
hate  and  dislike.  ( Jer.  25. )  Have  you  the  sincere  and  unfeigned 
fear  and  love  of  God  ?  So  let  them  appear  and  be  made  mani- 
fest through  your  words.  (James 3.)  Say,  beloved  preachers! 
Where  is  your  christian  humility,  your  godly,  christian  zeal, 
pleasure,  peace  and  joy  in  Christ  Jesus  ? 

Where  is  your  mercy  which  you  shew  ?  Where  are  the  naked 
whom  you  have  clothed,  the  hungry  whom  you  have  fed,  and 
the  needy  whom  you  have  entertained?  (Matt.  25.)  Where 
is  the  lost  whom  you  have  again  sought,  the  wounded  whom 
you  have  bound  up,  and  the  sick  whom  you  have  healed? 
(Ezek.  34.)  Where  is  your  unblamable,  pious  life  which  is 
from  God  ?  That  which  you  preach,  perform  and  do,  is  for  the 
most  piCrt  idle  hypocrisy. 

Some  of  you  approve  in  some  degree,  a  godly,  christian  life, 
preach  also  much  of  Christ,  of  his  merits,  spirit,  and  grace, 
and  are  yourselves  manifestly  those  who  lead  a  gross,  sensual 
life,  who  crucify  Christ  anew,  and  grieve  his  spirit  and  despise 
his  grace,  as  may  be  seen. 

0  preachers,  preachers !  how  aptly  has  the  Holy  Ghost  likened 
you  to  dry  wells  and  empty  clouds  from  which  no  water  can  be 
obtained,  and  to  fruitless  tress  from  which  no  fruit  can  be  taken. 
(2  Pet.  2. )  I  know  not  to  what  you  may  be  more  suitably  com- 
pared, than  to  a  woman  who  lives  in  all  manner  of  shame  and 
wantonness,  and  yet  talks  much  about  modesty,  decency  and 
virtue;  should  not  her  words  be  regarded  as  mockery?  Might 
it  not  be  said,  why  do  you  talk  of  modesty  and  chastity,  since 
you  yourself  are,  full  of  all  manner  of  immodesty  and  shame. 

We  are  well  aware  that  you  have  in  part  demolished  the  little 
gods  of  Babylon,  such  as  the  Roman  indulgences,  the  invoca- 
tions of  departed  saints,  unclean  purification,  abstaining,  from 
meats,  and  the  like  idolatry  and  other  superstitions,  but  the 
horrible  blasphemy  and  abominations  are  still  retained;  such  as 
accursed  unbelief,  the  headstrong  obstinacy,  the  earthly  mind, 
the  unscriptural  infant  baptism,  the  idolatrous  supper,  and  the 
impenitent  old  life  which  is  of  the  flesh. 

Therefore,  we  testify  with  the  truth  and  declare  that  you  are 
not  ambassadors  of  God  nor  teachers  of  Christ.  For  it  is  plain 
that  you  reject  the  word  and  ordinances  of  the  Lord,  and  mn  of 


92         OF  THE  DOCTIUKE  OF  THE  PREACHERS. 

yourselves,  (Jer.  8,  23;  John  10;  Ezek.  34,)  and  have  pastured 
yourselves  under  the  name  and  appearance  of  the  evangelical 
shepherds  of  the  Lord,  and  have  led  to  destruction  so  many 
hundred  thousand  souls,  through  your  wanton  doctrine,  idola- 
trous sacraments  and  carnal  lives. 

But  the  teachers  who  are  sent  of  God,  and  who  have  been 
rightly  called,  teach  God's  word  genuinely,  they  abide  in  its  holy 
ordinances,  live  (after  their  weakness)  unblamably,  for  they  are 
born  of  God,  and  are  taught  and  moved  by  his  holy  spirit,  they 
seek  neither  gold,  nor  possessions,  neither  an  easy  life  nor 
earthly  applause — they  wait  upon  their  enjoined  duties  with  all 
earnestness — they  fear  God  from  the  heart,  seek  their  neigh- 
bor with  fidelity;  they  are  armed  with  the  weapons  of  righteous- 
ness, on  the  right  hand  and  on  the  left.  (Acts  3  ;  1  Thes.  2  ; 
Gal.  1.)  They  deal  without  respect  to  persons.  (2  Cor.  6.) 
The  powerful  sharp  sword  of  the  divine  word  cuts  Out  of  their 
mouth  (Luke  12 ;)  it  is  a  shining  lantern  in  their  hands  ;  they 
are  taught  in  righteousness,  are  full  of  all  spiritual  wisdom ; 
(Jer.  15)  they  divide  the  good  from  the  evil ;  the  holy  from  the 
unholy,  and  the  clean  from  the  unclean.  In  short,  they  shine 
in  doctrine  and  conduct,  even  as  from  the  beginning  till  the 
present  time,  it  has  been  written  and  remarked  of  all  true 
prophets,  apostles  .and  servants  of  God.     (Matt.  5.) 

O  dear  Lord,  how  lovely  are  those  pastors  and  teachers  who 
seek  nothing  else  but  to  extend  the  kingdom  of  God ;  who 
preach  rightly  the  word  of  repentance  and  grace,  that  they 
may  win  many  souls ;  and  for  this  end,  they  expose  their 
name,  reputation,  houses,  property,  persons  and  lives. 

These  are  they,  who,  with  Christ,  the  chief  shepherd,  gather 
togethc  r  and  feed  his  lambs ;  but  the  others  are  those  who 
scatter  and  destroy  them.  They  are  prophets — but  not  of 
God — they  preach,  but  not  out  of  the  Lord's  mouth.  They 
strengthen  the  hands  of  the  .ungodly.  They  destroy  the  souls 
who  should  have  eternal  life,  and  encourage  those  who  must 
forever  die  ;  and  this  they  do  for  handfuls  of  barley  and  pieces 
of  bread.  (Jer.  23;  Ezek.  13.)  They  preach  to  the  people 
peace  when  there  is  no  peace.  Therefore,  shall  they  stand  in 
shame,  who  follow  such  abominations,  though  they  yet  are 
not  ashamed  and  yet  forbear  to  blush.     (Jer.  8. ) 

Behold,  dear  reader,  since  they  so  shamefully  deprive  Christ 
of  his  honor  and  gain,  and  scatter  his  sheep,  (John  10,)  and, 
with  the  sword  of  their  deceiving  doctrines,  destroy  the  poor 
souls  who  are  so  greatly  loved  by  the  Lord — whom  he  so  ear- 
nestly seeks  for,  and  whom  he  so  dearly  purchased — and  since 
they  so  enviously  war  against  the  word  and  ordinances  of  the 
Lord,  we  say  and  teach  with  Christ :  Let  them  alone,  they  be 
blind   leaders  of  the  blind.     (Matt.  15.)    Guard  yourselves 


OF  a?HE  CONDUCT  OF  PREACflERS.  93 

against  such  false  prophets ;  for  though  they  come  in  the 
appearance  of  sheep,  they  are  nevertheless  inwardly  ravening 
wolves.  They  are  the  strangers  whose  voice  Christ's  sheep 
know  not.  (Matt.  7 ;  John  10.  J  They  are  those  of  whom  Paul 
warns  us  and  says  :  Now  I  beseech  you,  brethren,  mark  them 
which  cause  divisions  and  offences,  contrary  to  the  doctrine 
which  you  have  learned,  and  avoid  them  ;  for  they  are  such  as 
serve  not  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  but  their  own  belly  and  by 
good  words  and  fair  speeches  deceive  the  heart  of  the  simple. 
(Rom.  16.) 

Again :  John  says,  whoever  transgresseth  and  abideth  not  in 
the  doctrine  of  Christ,  hath  not  God.  If  there  come  any  unto 
you,  and  bring  not  this  doctrine,  receive  him  not  into  your 
house,  neither  bid  him  God  speed  :  For  he  that  biddeth  him 
God  speed  is  partaker  of  his  evil  deeds.  (3  John  1.) 
•  The  word  of  God  abundantly  warns  us  that  we  leave  such 
and  beware  of  them,  shun  their  voice  and  retreat  from  them, 
and  that  we  should  not  take  them  into  our  houses,  (as  has 
been  said.)  If  we  are  Christ's  sheep  and  the  children  of  the 
Holy  Spirit ;  so  must  we  even  hear  Christ's  voice,  and  follow 
after  and  obey  the  monitions  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Reflect  how 
sincerely  holy  Paul  admonished  the  Philippians,  that  they 
should  guard  themselves  from  the  evil  doer  and  the  concision. 
He  taught  the  true  servants  of  God  that  they  should  shun 
those,  who  failed  no  further  (as  it  appears)  than  only,  that 
they  out  of  zeal  without  knowledge,  held  fast  to  circumcision, 
which  they  had  received  from  their  fathers,  and  would  not 
admit  that  it  should  be  abolished  through  Christ.  How  much 
more  earnestly  it  becomes  us  to  beware  of  them,  who  have 
deceived  the  wjiole  world,  who  upbraid  and  persecute  the 
godly  and  fight  against  truth  ;  of  all  false  teachers  and  blas- 
phemers of  God,  who  urge,  set  up,  and  permit  idolatrous  and 
abominable  doctrine. 


OF  THE  CONDUCT  OF  PEEACHEES. 

As  you  have  just  heard  the  ground  of  the  calling  and  doc- 
trines of  the  preachers,  we  will  proceed,  and  through  the  grace 
of  God  point  out  by  the  scriptures  how  the  true  apostles, 
bishops,  teachers  and  pastors,  in  the  church  of  Christ,  should 
conduct  themselves  in  their  deportment  and  lives  ;  for  it  is  not 
enough  that  a  man  appears  to  speak  much  of  the  word  of  the 


94  OF  THE  COilDUCT  OF  PREACHERS. 

Lord,  but  what  lie  says  must  also  be  maintained  by  a  devout 
and  unblamable  conduct,  as  the  scriptures  teach. 

Thus  says  Paul :  But  I  keep  under  my  body,  and  bring  it 
into  subjection ;  lest  that  by  any  means,  when  I  have  preached 
to  others,  I  myself  should  be  a  cast-away.  (1  Cor.  9.)  If  it 
becomes  the  hearers  and  disciples  to  lead  an  unblamable  life, 
how  much  more  does  it  become  teachers,  because  they  rule  the 
hearers  and  are  their  overseers.  (Eph,  3 ;  Phil.  2. )  As  Paul 
says :  Remember  them  who  have  the  rule  over  you,  who  have 
spoken  unto  you  the  word  of  God,  whose  faith  follow,  consid- 
ering the  end  of  their  conversation.     (Heb.  13. ) 

He  also  admonishes  Timothy  thereto,  and  says  :  Let  no  man 
despise  thy  youth,  but  be  thou  an  example  of  the  believers,  in 
word,  in  conversation,  in  charity,  in  spirit,  in  faith,  in  purity. 
(1  Tim.  4. )  But  in  all  things  shewing  thyself  a  pattern  of  good 
works ;  in  doctrine,  shewing  uncorruptness,  gravity,  sincerity, 
&c.  (Tit.  2.)  For  it  is  undoubtedly  proper,  if  any  one  teaches 
and  reproves  others,  that  he  first  himself  be  rightly  taught  and 
unblamable,  as  Paul  teaches  :  If  a  man  desire  the  of&ce  of  a 
bishop  he  desireth  a  good  work.  A  bishop  then  must  be 
blameless,  the  husband  of  one  wife,  vigilant,  sober,  of  good 
behavior,  given  to  hospitality,  apt  to  teach ;  not  given  to  wine, 
not  greedy  of  filthy  lucre ;  but  patient,  not  a  brawler,  not 
covetous  ;  one  that  ruleth  well  his  own  house,  having  his  chil- 
dren in  subjection  with  all  gravity :  for  if  a  man  know  not 
how  to  rule  his  own  house,  how  shall  he  take  care  of  the 
church  of  God  ?  Not  a  novice,  lest  being  lifted  up  with  pride 
he  fall  into  the  condemnation  of  the  devil.  Moreover,  he  must 
have  a  good  report  of  them  who  are  without ;  lest  he  fall  into 
reproach  and  the  snare  of  the  devil,  he  must  be  sober,  just, 
holy,  temperate  ;  holding  fast  the  faithful  word,  as  he  has  been 
taught,  that  he  may  be  able  by  sound  doctrine,  both  to  exhort 
and  to  convince  the  gainsayers ;  even  so  must  their  wives  be 
grave,  not  slanderers,  sober,  faithful  in  all  things.  (1  Tim.  3  ; 
Tit.  1.) 

Behold,  dear  reader,  it  is  requisite  that  every  preacher  and 
teacher,  who  would  rightly  govern  and  rule  in  the  church  of 
God  be  thus  qualified  ;  for  if  any  one  were  to  reprove  and  teach 
others,  and  is  himself  not  blameless  and  is  ignorant,  he  will 
justly  have  to  hear — Why  do  you  teach  others  and  teach  not 
yourself  first !  Thou  teachest  a  man  should  not  steal,  and  thou 
dost  steal.  Thou  sayest  a  man  should  not  commit  adultery, 
and  thou  dost.  Thou  abhorrest  idols,  yet  thou  committest 
sacrilege.  Thou  boastest  of  the  law  of  God,  and  dishonorest 
God  by  breaking  the  law  !     (Rom.  1.) 

All  those  thus  called,  who  are  in  doctrine  sound,  and  un- 
blamable in  life,  may  teach,  exhort,  reprove,  root  up,  and 


Oi'  THE  CONDUCT  OF  PREACHERS.  95 

build  up  in  the  name  of  the  Lord ;  their  labors  will  not  be 
fruitless,  as  may  be  seen,  in  the  case  of  Moses,  Samuel,  Elias, 
Elisha,  Isaiah,  Jeremiah,  Peter,  Paul,  John,  and  with  all  the 
true  prophets,  apostles  and  servants  of  God,  who  preached  the 
word  unblamably  in  the  power  of  the  spirit. 

Their  doctrine  cuts  like  a  sharp  edged  sword,  for  it  has 
power,  it  is  fruitful,  has  spirit  and  energy,  as  the  prophet 
says:  For  as  the  rain  cometh  down,  and  the  snow  from  heaven, 
and  returneth  not  thither,  but  watereth  the  earth,  and  maketh 
it  bring  forth  and  bud,  that  it  may  give  seed  to  the  sower,  and 
bread  to  the  eater,  so  shall  my  word  be,  that  goeth  out  of  my 
mouth :  it  shall  not  return  unto  me  void,  but  it  shall  accom- 
plish that  which  I  please,  and  it  shall  prosper  in  the  thing 
where  I  sent  it.     (Isa.  55.) 

Yea,  all  those  who  enter  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord  being  so 
sent,  called  with  such  a  spirit,  with  such  a  doctrine  and  life, 
as  said,  are  the  shepherds  of  whom  it  is  written  :  And  I  will 
give  you  pastors  according  to  mine  heart,  which  shall  feed  you 
with  knowledge  and  understanding.     (Jer.  3.) 

They  are  the  teachers  who  turn  many  to  righteousness ;  and 
they  shall  shine  as  the  brightness  of  the  firmament,  as  the 
stars  forever.     (Dan.  12.) 

They  are  the  spiritual  streams,  and  the  rivers  of  the  paradise 
of  Christ,  which  issue  from  the  fountains  of  the  paradise  of 
God,  to  irrigate  and  fertilize  the  whole  country.     (Gen.  3.) 

They  are  the  spiritual  posts  and  pillars  in  the  court  of  the 
tabernacle,  with  hangings  of  fine  twined  white  silk. 
(Ex.  27.) 

They  are  three  score  valiant  men,  of  the  valiant  of  Israel, 
who  are  around  Solomon's  bed  ;  they  all  hold  swords ;  being 
expert  in  war  :  every  man  with  his  sword  upon  his  thigh,  be- 
cause of  fear  in  the  night.     (Cant.  3.) 

They  are  the  seven  horns  or  trumpets,  of  the  golden  years, 
before  whose  sounds,  (their  teaching  and  preaching,)  the  walls 
of  Jericho  fall,  that  is,  all  false  doctrine,  all  powers  and  do- 
minions raised  up  against  the  true  Joshua,  Jesus  Christ,  and 
his  people,  are  brought  low.     (Josh.  6. ) 

They  are  the  beautiful  messengers  of  peace,  who  preach  the 
gospel  of  peace,  mercy  and  grace,  and  bring  glad  tidings  of 
good  things,  to  us,  poor,  miserable,  troubled  sinners.  (Isa.  52; 
Rom.  10.) 

They  are  seven  mighty  mountains,  whereupon  gi*ow  roses 
and  lilies,  whose  sweet  scent  refreshes  with  joy  all  who  fear 
the  Lord.     (2  Esd.  2.) 

They  are  the  splendid  crown  of  twelve  stars  of  the  woman 
big,  and  in  travail.     (Rev.  12.) 

They  are  the  walls  of  the  new  and  heavenly  Jerusalem, 


96  OF  THE  CONDUCT  OF  PRfiACHER^. 

based  upon  tlie  twelve  foundations,  that  is  upon  tlie  ground 
and  doctrine  of  the  twelve  apostles.     (Rev.  2.) 

See,  worthy  reader,  with  such  and  similar  glorious  images 
and  parables,  are  all  the  pious  pastors  and  teachers  honored 
in  the  scriptures,  whom  the  Holy  Ghost  has  ordained  as  bishops 
and  overseers  in  his  church,  congregation  and  house. 

These  may  say  with  holy  Paul :  Follow  us  as  we  are  the 
followers  of  Christ,  for  our  exhortation  was  not  of  deceit,  nor  of 
uncleanness,  nor  in  guile,  but  as  we  were  allowed  of  God,  to  be 
put  in  trust  with  the  gospel,  even  so  we  speak  ;  not  as  pleasing 
men,  but  God,  who  trieth  our  hearts ;  for  neither  at  any  time, 
used  we  flattering  words,  as  you  know,  nor  a  cloak  of  covet- 
ousness;  God  is  witness.  Nor  of  men  sought  we  glory. 
(Thes.  20 

I  repeat  it:  These  are  they  who  gather  with  Christ  what  has 
been  scattered,  bind  up  the  wounded  and  heal  the  sick,  (Ezek. 
34, )  for  they  are  influenced  by  the  spirit  of  the  Lord  and  urged 
by  unfeigned  love.  (Luke  11.)  They  are  vigilant,  and  are 
assiduous  in  the  discharge  of  entrusted  duties.  They  fight 
daily  with  the  weapon  of  obedience.  (Jer.  1.)  They  tear 
down  and  break  and  destroy  all  that  which  is  against  the  word 
of  God,  not  by  external 'power,  with  sword  and  spear,  but  by 
the  preaching  of  the  holy  word,  in  power  and  spirit — with  the 
word  of  the  Lord.  They  till,  sow,  water  and  plant,  (Cor.  3 ; 
John  4. )  They  cut  down  what  is  ripe.  They  gather  their 
grain  and  sheaves,  and  carry  them  into  the  Lord's  barn,  and 
their  fruits  will  abide  unto  eternal  life.     (John  15.) 

Since  the  scriptures  require  such  teachers,  as  said,  it  is  then 
indispensable  that  we  weigh  the  conduct  of  your  preachers  in 
the  balance,  and  detei-mine  their  actions  before  your  eyes,  by 
the  plummet  of  the  divine  word,  that  you  may  discover  how 
much  they  are  wanting  of  the  pattern  of  the  true  bishops, 
preachers  and  pastors,  spoken  of  by  Paul  to  Timothy  and  Titus, 
in  all  their  lives  and  actions;  and  that  they  are  the  very  reverse, 
who,  without  spirit,  word,  work  or  truth,  but  in  semblance  on- 
ly, are  s'o  called  of  the  world. 

It  is  manifest,  beloved  reader,  that  they  changed  the  meek 
office  of  a  true  bishop,  preacher  and  pastor,  which  is  an  office 
of  christian  service,  and  if  rightly  attended  to,  is  an  office  full 
of  trouble,  care,  reproach,  misery,  tribulation,  cross  and  afflic- 
tion, into  ungodly  gorgeousness  and  princely  glory,  so  that  they 
are  greatly  respected  and  feared  of  those  whose  names  are  not 
written  in  heaven,  because  they  appear  in  such  splendid  robes 
and  are  dressed  in  such  shining  garbs,  (Rev.  13,  17,)  and  are 
called  by  pompous  names,  and  use  in  their  services,  ointments, 
palms,  caps,  togas,  unclean  purifications,  and  have  cloisters, 
chapels,  bells,  organs,  music,  masses,  off"erings,  &c.,  of  which 


OF  THE  CONDUCT  OF  PREACHERS.  97  • 

there  is  not  a  word  to  be  found  in  scripture.  By  their  splendid 
trappings,  we  know  and  see  the  covered,  slily  crouching  wolf, 
the  earthly,  sensual  mind,  the  anti-christian  seductions  and 
bloody  abominations;  for  they  seek  nothing  but  the  favor  of 
men,  Jlionor,  splendor,  venery,  idleness,  self,  gold,  silver,  glut- 
tony, &c.,  and  suffer  themselves  to  be  called  spiritual  doctorr, 
teachers,  lords,  abbots,  guardians,  fathers  and  priors. 

Alas!  how  vastly  they  do  differ  from  the  prophets  ar.d 
apostles  in  their  office,  services,  examples,  usages,  lives,  and 
in  all  they  did — who  entered  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord  without 
purse,  without  money,  or  much  clothing,  (Matt.  10;  Luke  10,) 
who  were  made  a  spectacle  to  the  whole  world;  and  for  Christ's 
sake  were  killed  all  the  day  long,  and  accounted  as  sheep  for 
the  slaughter:  (1  Cor.  4;  Rom.  8,)  as  may  be  seen  from  the 
scriptures. 

But  these  have  their  chests  and  coffers  full,  they  are  waxed 
rich  through  the  abundance  of  the  Babylonian  sorcery.  (Rev. 
18. )  In  all  things  they  are  blamable,  violating  female  chastity, 
which  is  carried  on  to  such  an  unblushing  degree,  that  it  cannot 
be  expressed;  they  are  full  of  inordinate  desires,  unchaste, 
unmerciful,  malicious,  scorners,  unfriendly,  unrighteous,  liars, 
drunkards.  All  their  tables  are  full  of  vomit  and  filthiness, 
as  Isaiah,  the  prophet  says,  (Isa.  28.)  Their  hearts  are  full  of 
avarice,  and  malicious  towards  those  who  will  not  contribute  to 
their  support.  They  even  jirepare  war  against  them,  as  Micah 
teaches.  They  arc  full  of  adultery.  (Mich.  3;  2  Pet.  2.). They 
sit  with  harlots  in  their  houses.  They  beget  children  illegiti- 
mately. They  are  unbelievers,  they  are  refractory,  proud, 
ambitious.  Obey  not  the  word  of  the  Lord;  are  bound  with 
the  cords  of  the  devil,  and  there  are  many  who  have  not  known 
the  truth,  (2  Tim.  2;)  they  are  a  scandal  and  disgrace  to  the 
world.  Their  dreadful,  abominable  fruits  make  this  manifest 
to  all.  They  fight  against  Christ  and  his  word.  They  hate  all 
the  pious.  They  speak  reproachfully  of  all  those  who  seek, 
love  and  fear  the  Lord  with  all  their  hearts.  In  short,  it  is  not 
possible  to  relate  all  their  abominable  crimes,  their  lewdness, 
their  ungodly  deeds,  their  private  and  public  vices,  infamy  and 
abominations. 

O  dear  Lord!  how  much  more  are  they  the  reverse  of  the 
upright  and  true  bishops,  overseers  and  pastors,  although  they 
boast  that  they  can  bring  Christ  from  heaven,  reconcile  God, 
forgive  sins,  and  that  they  are  the  true  pillars,  the  heads  and 
eyes  of  the  church. 

And  although  I  have  written  this  especially  of  the  Roman 
priests,  the  reader  should  know,  that  I  cannot  acquit  those  in 
any  wise  who  boast  of  the  word,  if  they  seek,  in  the  common 
walks  of  their  lives,  unlawful  gain,  and  practice  idolatry  with 

5 


98  01*  THE  CONDUCT  OF  THE  PRfiACflEK?. 

infant  baptism  and  the  Lord's  supper,  and  hate  the  pious, 
oppregs,  backbite  and  slander  them,  and  differ  little  from  the 
church  of  Rome,  except  in  a  few  idolatrous  abuses  of  the 
bread,  which  are  not  found  with  them. 

Therefore,  I  fear  all,  who  preach  for  money,  and  flatter  the 
world,  are  the  spiritual  sorcerers  of  Egypt,  (Ex.  7,  8;  2  Tim. 
3)  priests  of  the  groves,  (1  Cliron.  12)  servants  of  Baal,  and 
prophets  of  Jezebel,  (1  Chron.  18)  destroyers  of  the  Lord's  vine- 
yard, (Jer.  12)  defilers  of  the  land,  (Jer.  23)  blind  watchmen 
and  dumb  dogs,  (Isa.  56^  spoilers  of  the  good  pastures,  they 
trouble  the  waters  and  make  foul  the  rivers,  (Ezek.  34)  devour- 
ers  of  souls,  (Ezek.  22)  false  prophets  and  ravening  wolves, 
(Matt.  7)  devourers  of  widows'  houses,  (Matt.  23)  thieves  and 
murderers,  (John  10  j  enemies  of  the  cross  of  Christ,  whose  end 
is  destruction,  whose  God  is  their  belly,  and  whose  glory  is  in 
their  shame,  who  mind  earthly  things,  (Phil.  3)  false  teachers, 
founders  of  sects,  cursed  children,  wandering  stars,  withered 
trees,  without  fruit,  twice  dead,  plucked  up  by  the  roots;  foam- 
ing out  their  own  shame,  to  whom  is  reserved  the  blackness  of 
darkness  forever,  (2  Pet.  2;  Jude  1)  Antichrists,  (1  John  2) 
locusts  that  rose  from  the  bottomless  pit,  came  to  hurt  those 
who  have  not  the  seal  of  God  in  their  foreheads,  (Rev.  9.)  In 
short,  if  they  will  not  repent,  they  are  already  condemned  ac- 
cording to  the  scriptures,  (Matt.  15,23;  Luke  11;  Phil.  3;  2 
Tim.  3;  Tit.  3;  2  Pet.  2;  Jude  1;  Rev.  21,  22.) 

Not  that  I  would  judge  any  one,  my  good  reader;  I  well  know 
that  it  is  written:  Judge  not  that  ye  be  not  judged;  condemn 
not  and  ye  shallfnotjbe  condemned,  (Luke  6;)  but  they  are 
judged  of  him,  who  say:  The  word  that  I  have  spoken,  the  same 
shall  judge  him  in  the  last  day.     (John  12.) 

Who  do  such  and  the  like  things,  says  Paul,  shall  not  inherit 
the  kingdom  of  God,  (Rom.  1;  1  Cor.  6;  Gal.  5;  Eph.  5.)  But 
i  i  any  one  do  the  works  whereof  Paul  speaks,  he  is  not  judged 
of  me,  nor  of  any  other  man,  but  by  the  word  of  the  Lord. 
We  do  therefore  entreat  you  to  measure  the  conduct  of  your 
preachers  with  the  scriptures,  and  you  will  find  by  whom  they 
are  judged. 

O  miserable  preachers!  whose  blindness  we  may  well  lament, 
how  much  better  would  it  be  for  you  never  to  have  been  born. 
For  if  you  have  finished  your  short,  perishable,  voluptuous  and 
idle  life,  and  have  not  repented,  as  above  stated,  your  portion 
will  be  God's  eternal  wrath,  punishment  and  judgment  in  the 
torments,  the  pains  and  burnings  of  hell;  woe  and  death  shall 
be  your  end,  as  tlie  scriptures  threaten,  (Matt,  15,  23;  Luke  11; 
2  Tim.  3;  Phil.  3;  Tit.  3.) 

The  reason  is,  because  you  reject  Christ  and  despise  his 
word,  which  is  everlasting  food  for  the  soul,  upon  which  we 


OF  THE  CONDUCT  OF  PBEACHERS.  99 

must  eternally  subsist.  (2  Pet.  2;  2  Jolin  1;  Jude  1;  Rev.  21, 
22. )  And  despise  his  word  because  it  reproves  your  vain  and 
frivolous  conduct,  showing  that  you  are  indeed  sensual;  of  the 
world,  and  of  the  devil,  as  is  evident;  and  that  you  so  miserably 
deceive  poor  souls,  and  so  cruelly  hate,  belie,  reproach,  and 
betray  all  those  who  sincerely  seek  their  souls'  salvation;  take 
their  property,  deprive  them  of  honor,  and  life,  who  in  great 
love  admonish,  by  the  word  of  God,  your  deceiving  teachers, 
and  reprove  their  ungodly  deeds  with  all  discretion.  (Deut.  8; 
Matt.  4;  Luke  4.) 

O  Balaam,  Balaam,  how  long  will  you  so  unmercifully  kick 
and  cuff  the  poor  ass  which  has  to  suffer  all  the  opprobrium, 
scorn  and  disgrace,  for  the  sake  of  his  master's  testimony? 
And  never  kindly  listen  how  he  answers  you  in  a  human  voice, 
and  reproves  your  great  folly  and  error  ?  That  he  is  driven 
by  an  angel  with  a  naked  sword,  namely,  by  the  spirit  and 
word  of  the  Lord,  that  he  can  longer  carry  (endure)  you  in 
your  ungodly  deeds.     (Lev.  22.) 

Well  now!  seed  of  Cain,  Korah  and  Balaam,  prepare  for 
defence ;  lie,  cheat,  censure,  blaspheme,  hate,  root  up,  disgrace 
and  murder  as  much  as,  in  you  lies;  allege  all  the  councils, 
authors,  and  learned  teachers  who  have  been  for  centuries; 
appeal  to  all  the  lords  and  princes,  emperors,  kings,  and  the 
mighty  of  the  earth.  (Jer.  51.)  Use  all  the  power,  art  and 
cunning  that  you  can  command;  it  avails  you  nothing:  the 
Lamb  will  conquer  and  gain  the  victory,  the  people  of  God  will 
triumph,  not  with  tangible  weapons,  but  in  patience  with  the 
spirit  and  word  of  God.  Jerusalem  and  the  temple  must  be 
built  up,  although  the  Azotes  and  Sanabalats  may  attempt  to 
hinder  it,  not  with  inanimate  stones,  which  are  now  tread  upon 
in  every  street  with  your  unclean  feet,  (Rev.  17;  1  Esd.  2;  1 
Pet.  2;  Tim.  1;  Neh.  4,)  and  although  all  the  gates  of  hell  may 
resist,  Babel  must  be  destroyed  and  laid  waste.  The  ten  kings 
will  and  must  perform  their  services.  (Rev.  17.)  You  will 
gnaw  your  tongues  for  pain,  bitterly  cry  and  weep  on  account 
of  the  torments  of  Babel,  and  say:  Alas!  alas!  that  great  city, 
that  was  clothed  in  fine  linen,  and  purple,  and  scarlet,  and 
decked  with  gold,  and  precious  stones,  and  pearls!  For  in  one 
hour  so  great  riches  is  come  to  nought;  for  her  sins  rose  up  to 
heaven,  and  the  Lord  remembered  her  wickedness.  (Rev.  18.) 

The  gospel  icill  and  must  be  heard;  lies  must  be  exposed, 
and  your  blind  folly  made  known  to  all  men.  (Matt.  14;  2 
Tim.  3.) 

And  although  I  and  my  brethren  may  be  called  off  by  death 
before  this  takes  place,  vet  it  will  undoubtedly  happen  at  the 
appointed  time,  which  the  Holy  Ghost  so  plainly  foretold  and 
taught  through  the  worthy  disciple  John. 


100  OP  THE  CONDUCT  OP  PREACHERS. 

O  stiflfnecked,  evil  generation,  how  long  will  you  resist  the 
Holy  Ghost  ?  How  long  will  you  revile  the  truth,  and  prefer 
lies?  How  long  will  you  be  guilty  of  innocent  blood?  Reform 
your  wicked  lives,  fear  God  with  all  your  hearts,  treat  us  ac- 
cording to  the  word  of  God,  so  that  the  gospel  may  be  rightly 
preached,  and  be  maintained  by  a  pious  and  blameless  life. 
Alas!  were  you  to  do  so,  no  innocent  blood  would  be  shed,  and 
the  truth  would  be  made  known. 

But  we  are  afraid  it  will  be  as  the  "prophet  said:  The  wicked 
shall  do  wickedly,  and  none  of  the  wicked  shall  understand; 
but  the  wise  shall  understand.  (Dan.  12.)  For  it  is  the  custom 
of  all  the  sects,  who  are  out  of  Christ  and  his  word  to  defend 
their  foundations,  faith  and  actions  with  the  sword.  The  Ro- 
mans, the  Arians,  the  Circumcellions,  the  Lutherans,  the  Zuin- 
glians,  and  the  Munsterites,  are  our  witnesses;  but  Christ's 
people  suffer  and  forbear. 

Is  it  not  a  grievous  error,  that  these  poor  people  want  to  be 
Christians,  and  be  guilty  of  such  abominable  things,  as  exter- 
minating, robbing,  apprehending,  biTi-ning,  murdering,  &c., 
under  pretence,  as  if  the  kingdom  of  Christ,  the  glory  of  the 
Lord,  the  word  and  truth  of  God,  were  to  be  defended  and 
maintained  with  such  horrible  disgrace  ? 

Alas,  no!  you  miserable  men,  no!  All  who  are  moved -by 
the  spirit  of  Christ  know  of  no  sword  but  the  word  of  the 
Lord;  their  weapons  are  powerful  prayer,  a  long-suffering  and 
patient  heart,  strong,  unfeigned  faith,  living  hope,  and  an  un- 
blamable life,  (Ezra  13;  Eph.  5;  Heb.  4, )  whereby  the  gospel 
of  the  kingdom,  the  word  of  peace,  is  to  be  promulgated,  and 
to  be  defended  against  the  gates  of  hell. 

Beloved  reader,  see,  if  you  have  the  fear  of  God,  then  learn 
rightly  to  know  your  bishops,  prophets,  pastors  and  teachers, 
and  remember  what  is  written:  Come  out  from  among  them, 
and  be  ye  separate,  saith  the  Lord,  and  touch  not  the  unclean 
thing;  and  I  will  receive  you,  and  I  will  be  a  Father  unto  you, 
and  ye  shall  be  my  sons  and  daughters,  saith  the  Lord  God 
Almighty.  (2  Cor.  6.)  And  again:  Come  out  of  her,  my  people, 
that  ye  be  not  partakers  of  her  sins,  and  that  ye  receive  not  her 
plagues.  (Rev.  18.)  Reflect  that  the  mouth  of  the  Lord  said: 
Beware  of  false  prophets,  which  come  to  you  in  sheep's  cloth- 
ing, but  inwardly  they  are  ravening  wolves:  ye  shall  know  them 
by  their  fruits.  Do  men  gather  grapes  of  thorns,  or  figs  of 
thistles?  (Matt.  7.)  They  are  the  salt  which  has  lost  its  savor, 
and  is  henceforth  good  for  nothing,  but  to  be  cast  out  and  to  be 
trodden  under  foot  of  men,  as  the  Lord  says.     (Matt.  5.) 

In  short,  they  are  those  of  whom  Paul  warned  and  said: 
This  know  also,  that  in  the  last  days  perilous  times  shall  come; 
for  there  shall  be  men,    lovers  of  their  own  selves,  covetous 


OF  THE  CONDUCT  OF  PKEACHERS.  101 

boasters,  proud,  blasphemers,  disobedient  to  parents,  unthank- 
ful, unlioly,  without  natural  affection,  truce-breakers,  false 
accusers,  incontinent,  fierce,  despisers  of  those  that  are  good, 
traitors,  heady,  high-minded,  lovers  of  pleasnre  more  than 
lovers  of  God;  having  a  form  of  godUness,  but  denying  the 
povs^er  thereof;  from  such  turn  away.     (2  Tim.  3.) 

Again,  thus  you  see  that  your  preachers  are  such  persons  as* 
described,  and  that  the  .scriptures  abundantly  admonish  and 
command  that  we  shall  forsake  them,  fear  them,  avoid  and  tlee 
from  them,&c.  (Matt.  7;  1  Thes.  5;  John  10.)  And  this  is  the 
reason  why  we  openly  teach  not  to  hear  their  seducing  doc- 
trines, not  to  use  their  sacraments,  and  to  have  nothing  to  do 
with  their  false  worship. 

Rather  say:  What  godliness  can  Israel  bring  from  Assyria, 
Egypt  from  Babylon. 

How  can  the  true  service  be  found  with  the  priests  of  Baal  ? 
How  can  you  be  taught  in  divine  things  to  righteousness,  of 
those  who  are  ignorant  thereof  themselves  ? 

How  can  you  learn  Christ  from  Antichrist;  and  the  word  of 
God  from  false  prophets  ?  ^ 

How  can  you  be  blessed  by  the  cursed,  and  be  rightly  led  by 
the  blind? 

How  will  you  draw  water  from  dry  fountains,  and  gather 
fruit  from  withered  trees?     (2  Pet.  2.) 

How  can  you  be  partakers  of  the  Lord's  table  and  of  the 
table  of  devils  ? 

How  can  you  drink  both  of  the  Lord's  cup  and  the  devil's 
cup,  and  be  in  the  communion  of  Christ  and  of  Antichrist  ? 

You  cannot  serve  two  masters  who  are  opposed  to  each  other; 
you  must  love  the  one  and  hate  the  other,  or  else  you  will  hold 
to  the  one  and  despise  the  other.  (Matt  6.)  You  must  be  for 
Christ  or  against  him,  you  will  gather  with  him,  or  destroy  in 
opposition  to  him. 

Since  we,  by  the  grace  of  God,  so  plainly  see  how  your 
preachers  are  sent,  see  their  doctrine  and  lives,  how  they  go 
without  being  called,  falsify  the  word  of  God,  lead  a  wanton, 
sensual  life,  deceive  the  poor  people;  and  we  being  so  abun- 
dantly admonished  by  the  scriptures,  that  we  should  forsake, 
avoid  and  flee  such  preachers,  because  they  are  so  diametrically 
opposed  to  Christ  and  his  word,  and  we  desire  to  be  obedient  to 
the  voice  of  our  shepherd  in  this  matter  as  it  becomes  all  the 
pious  of  Christ,  (John  10,)  for  the  kingdom  is  promised  to  the 
obedient,  as  the  scriptures  say:  Not  every  one  that  saith.  Lord, 
Lord,  shall  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven;  but  they  that 
do  the  will  of  my  Father.     (Matt.  7.) 

And  we  also,  agreeably  to  the  contents  of  God's  word,  departed 
from  their  doctrines,  sacraments  and  service,  and  this  we  testify 


103  COUNTER  ARGUMENTS  OP  BABYLON,  AND  Of 

both  by  word  and  deed,  with  possessions  and  blood  before  lords 
and  princes,  in  cities  and  in  the  country,  before  you  and  the 
world,  as  an  admonition,  doctrine  and  instruction,  so  that  you 
all,  both  teachers  and  hearers,  might  awaken  to  reflect  on  the 
truth,  repent  and  come  out  from  the  kingdom  and  fellowship 
of  Antichrist,  and  enter  the  kingdom  and  communion  of  Christ; 
and  thus  extricate  your  poor  souls  from  the  snares  of  unbelief, 
that  you  may  be  rescued,  preserved  and  eternally  saved. 

For  we  will  sooner  endure,  in  our  mortal  bodies,  misery, 
poverty,  tribulation,  hunger,  thirst,  heat,  cold,  bonds  and  death, 
and  adhere  to  the  Lord's  word,  than  lead  secure  easy  lives  with 
the  world,  and  for  the  sake  of  a  short  and  temporal  life,  ruin 
our  souls. 

We  think  with  holy  Peter,  (Acts  15:6,)  that  we  should  rather 
obey  God  than  man;  and  with  virtuous  Susan,  it  is  better  to  fall 
into  the  hands  of  man,  than  into  the  hands  of  God,  (Dan.  13.) 
All  who  fear  the  Lord  may  read  and  judge. 


COUNTEE  AEGUMENTS 

OF  BABYLON  AND  OF  ITS  BUILDEES,  WITH 
THEIR  REPLICATIONS. 

Beloved  reader,  although  we  have  clearly  shown  you  the 
difference  between  true  and  false  preachers,  and  why  we  will 
not  hear  them,  we  do,  therefore,  hope  that  the  god-fearing, 
who  acknowledge  the  word  of  the  Lord  to  be  true,  might  fully 
comprehend  this  ground  and  truth  ;  still  we  find  some 
among  those  preachers  who  partly  know  that  their  cause  can- 
not stand  the  test  of  the  scripture. 

Nevertheless,  not  being  born  of  God,  neither  fearing  him 
and  seeking  unlawful'gain,  the  world  and  ease,  they  have  wrest- 
ed a  variety  of  scripture  passages,  by  which  they  persuade  the 
simple,  those  who  dread  the  cross  of  Christ,  that  it  is  lawful  to 
hear  their  doctrine  and  attend  upon  their  church  services,  and 
this  they  do  in  order  to  live  at  ease  and  enjoy  good  times. 

In  the  first  place,  they  say  that  Christ  said  :  The  Scribes  and 
Pharisees  sit  incloses'  seat;  all,  therefore,  whatsoever  they  bid 
you  observe,  that  observe  and  do  ;  but  do  not  ye  after  their 
works.  (Matt.23.)  From  which  they  conclude,  that,  as  the  Scribes 
and  Pharisees  were  sitting  in  the  seat  of  Moses,  and  mingling 


ITS  BUILDERS,  WITH  THEIR   REPLICATIONS.  103 

leaven  with  the  unleavened  lump,  of  which  Christ  warned  his 
disciples,  because  Christ  said  :  all  therefore  whatsoever  they 
bid  you  observe,  that  observe  and  do,  they  also  now  sit  in 
Christ's  seat,  although  they  are  in  their  doctrine  and  lives  not 
upright  and  free  from  guilt ;  that  therefore  we  are  to  hear  them, 
so  far  as  they  preach  the  word  of  God,  but  not  to  do  after  their 
works.     (Matt.  16  ;  Mark  8  ;  Luke  12. ) 

To  which  we  reply,  first,  and  ask  them  whether  they  and  the 
Pharisees  are  one  or  not  ?  If  they  answer  yes  !  they  must  then 
be  their  own  judges,  and  decide  that  they  are  of  those  who 
crucified  Christ,  stoned  Stephen,  beat  the  apostles,  persecuted 
the  saints,  and  they  are  of  those  who  are  threatened  with  eter- 
nal woe,  (Matt.  28 ;  Mark  15  ;  Luke  23  ;  John  19  ;  Acts  5,  7  ; 
Matt.  2,  3, )  they  may  well  then  be  afraid  and  fear  the  Lord 
and  his  judgments.  If  they  answer,  no  !  then  they  can  prove 
nothing  with  this  passage. 

Secondly,  we  reply  :  If  they  adduce  this  passage,  quasi  argu- 
mentum  assimili,  i.  e.,  as  it  were  an  argument  of  similitude, 
and  remark  that  to  sit  in  Moses'  seat  is  to  rightly  preach  and 
attend  to  Moses'  law  with  its  ceremoJiies — this  did  the  Scribes 
and  Pharisees;  they  left  the  law  and  ceremonies  entire  and 
altered  nothing  therein,  although  they  practised  some  super- 
stition with  it,  as  it  may  be  seen  from  Matt.  15,  23.  For  had 
they  altered  the  law  and  ceremony,  they  would  not  have  been 
sitting  in  Moses'  seat. 

But  even  as  the  Scribes  and  Pharisees  did  sit  in  Moses'  seat, 
these  will  then  also  have  to  show  that  they  sit  in  Christ's  seat, 
that  is,  they  must  prove  that  they  preach  Christ's  gospel,  bap- 
tism, supper,  separation  ;  preach  and  practice  all  things  cor- 
rectly, or  the  argumentum  assimili  cannot  stand.  If  this. is  the 
case,  we  may  then  ask  counsel  of  the  scriptures  ;  why  they 
♦  suffer  the  traditions  of  mdh  to  be  added  thereto  ?  and  why  re- 
tain them  ?  But  we  well  know  that  the  scriptures  are  silent 
on  this  subject. 

Thirdly,  we  reply  :  So  long  as  the  Scribes  and  Pharisees  were 
sitting  in  Moses'  seat,  and  practised  the  ceremonies  and  taught 
the  law  which  pointed  to  Christ,  as  before  related  ;  so  long  did 
Christ  direct  his  disciples  and  the  people,  at  that  time,  to  them  ; 
for  the  the  law  was  not  fully  accomplished  ;  the  perfect  sacri- 
fice, which  was  to  abolish  all  typical  sacrifices,  was  not  yet 
oftered  ;  the  veil  of  the  temple  was  not  yet  rent,  the  figures  and 
shadows  were  not  yet  changed  into  the  new  and  abiding  reality. 
But  after  it  was  all  accomplished  according  to  the  scriptures, 
and  all  things  made  new  in  Christ,  (John  19;  2  Cor.  5,)  he  did 
not  then  send  out  the  Scribes  and  Pharisees,  with  Moses'  law, 
but  sent  out  his  disciples  with  his  own  do<}trine  ;  and  said  :  Go 
into  all  the  world  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature, 


104       COUNTER  ARGUMENTS  OP  BABYLON  AND  OF 

CMark  IC)  and  teach  them  to  observe  all  things  I  command 
you.     (Matt.  28.) 

Since  then  all  things  are  new  in  and  through  Christ  ;  and  as 
the  people  of  Moses  were  directed  to  his  preachers,  by  Christ 
before  his  death  to  those  who  sat  in  Moses'  seat  and  rightly 
taught  the  law,  practised  the  ceremonies;  in  like  manner,  now, 
in  the  new  Testament,  are  we,  after  the  death  of  Christ,  di- 
rected to  those  preachers  who  sit  in  Christ's  seat,  teaching  his 
words  unblamably,  and  using  his  sacraments  as  the  scriptures 
tench.     (ITim.  1.) 

But  the  scriptures  abundantly  warn  us  of  those  who  adulter- 
ate Christ's  doctrine,  misuse  his  sacraments,  seduce  the  people, 
lead  dissolute  and  wanton  lives  ;  such  we  are  to  tlee,  avoid  and 
abandon,  not  to  admit  them  into  our  houses,  for  they  sit  in 
Antichrist's,  not  in  Christ's  seat,  as  said,  (Matt.  7  ;  John  10  ; 
Rom.    16  ;  2  Tim.  6  ;  2  John  1.) 

Secondly,  they  adduce  what  Paul  says:  Quench  not  the 
spirit ;  despise  not  prophecying  ;  prove  all  things ;  hold  fast  that 
which  is  good.  (1  Thes.  5.) 

I  answer,  Paul  himself  explains,  according  to  our  opinion,  of 
what  spirit  and  prophesy  he  thus  spake  in.  (1  Cor.  4.)  For  if  it 
were  the  opinion  of  the  apostle  that  we  should  repair  to  houses 
where  this  open  seduction  and  idolatry  are  carried  on,  and  there 
try  their  spirit  and  prove  their  doctrines,  Paul  would  then 
have  contradicted  himself,  when  he  says  that  we  shall  sepa- 
rate and  flee  from  them  ;  for  vre  know  of  a  certainty  that  they 
do  corrupt  the  word  and  sacraments  of  the  Lord,  and  seek 
nothing  but  a  good  living,  and  are  without  the  spirit  and  doc- 
trine of  Christ. 

O  no;  Paul  did  not  write  this  of  such  preachers  as  the  Scribes 
and  Pharisees  were,  neither  of  the  idolatrous  priests  of  Egypt 
and  Babylon;  but  he  said  this  touching  the  prophets,  pastors, 
and  teachers  in  the  Church  of  Christ,  that  wg  are  not  to  quench 
their  spirit,  but  prove  their  doctrine,  and  hold  fast  to  that 
which  is  good.  And  if  they  taught  any  thing  not  in  accordance 
with  the  scriptures  and  the  true  faith,  to  avoid  it.  (Rom.  4.) 
If  any  man  proj)hesy,  let  him  prophesy  according  to  the  pro- 
portion of  faith,  (Rom.  12,)  and  this  is  to  what  John  exhorts 
his  disciples :  Beloved,  believe  not  every  spirit,  but  try  the 
spirits,  whether  they  are  of  God.  (1  John  4.)  And  this  pas- 
sage :  Avoid  the  appearance  of  all  manner  of  evil,  may  be 
understood  as  not  properly  referring  to  what  is  just  mentioned. 

My  good  reader,  we  have  proved  your  preachers  so  well,  both 
as  to  to  their  spirit  and  doctrine,  that  we  may  with  a  clear  con- 
science say,  that  they  are  not  of  God  arid  his  word,  but  of  the 
bottomless  pit,  of  the  dragon  and  of  the  beast.  (Rev.  9.) 
Say,  dear  reader,  how  shall  we  acknowledge  those  as  teachers 


ITS  BUILDERS,  WITH  THEIR  REPLICATIONS.  105 

who  SO  wantonly  fight  against  the  word  of  God  ?  What  fel- 
lowship has  light  with  darkness  ?  W hat  communion  has  Christ 
with  Belial  ?  (1  Cor.  6. )  The  greater  part  of  what  they  teach 
is  delusion  arid  hypocrisy.  My  reader,  do  not  pervert  these 
words,  for  what  I  write  is  the  truth,  and  I  can  prove  it  to  the 
whole  world,  from  their  doctrines,  lives  and  sacraments. 

Thirdly,  they  ask :  Why  will  we  not  hear  them  ;  for  the 
wise  men  of  the  East  gave  heed  to  what  Herod  said  ? 

Answer.  To  adduce  this  passage  seems  to  me  to  be  so 
puerile,  that  it  is  by  no  means  worthy  of  reply.  For  Herod  did 
nothing  else  than,  by  the  instruction  of  the  Scribes,  point  out 
to  the  wise  men  the  town  in  which  the  king  of  the  Jews  was 
to  be  born,  and  he  did  it  with  a  blood-thirsty  heart,  as  the  fol- 
lowing act  shows  :  He  sent  them  to  Bethlehem  and  said — Go 
and  search  diligently  for  the  young  child,  and  when  you  have 
found  him,  bring  me  word  again,  that  I  may  come  and  worship 
him  also. 

Herod  was  afraid  when  he  heard  that  the  Jews  had  a  king 
born,  lest  he  might  lose  his  glory  and  kingdom  ;  he  therefore 
spoke,  out  of  pure  hypocrisy  and  slyness,  with  the  wise  men, 
in  order  that  he  might  destroy  the  child,  for  he  was  desirous  of 
his  death.  But  when  he  saw  that  he  failed  in  his  hypocrisy, 
he  was  very  much  enraged,  and  showed  his  fierce,  tyrannical, 
ungodly  disposition ;  he  sent  forth  and  slew  all  the  children 
that  were  in  Bethlehem,  and  in  all  the  coasts  thereof,  from  two 
years  old  and  under  ;  as  may  be  seen  from  Matt.  2. 

O  my  good  reader,  how  justly  they  do  appeal  to  this  hypo- 
critical, lying,  ambitious  and  tyrannic  Herod  ;  for  the  greater 
part  of  them  are  of  the  same  spirit  and  disposition.  They  are 
BO  much  pained  that  Christ  is  born  again  through  his  word. 
They  are  like  hypocritical  Herod  ;  they  lie  and  say  that  they 
are  sincere  ;  but  they  fear  their  unlawful  gain,  their  rich  and 
lazy  life,  lest  Christ  should  rule,  as  Herod  feared,  lest  he 
should  lose  his  kingdom.  And  they  are  ready  to  destroy  the 
pious,  as  Herod  was  determined  upon  the  blood  of  Christ,  as 
you  have  heard. 

Since  then  they  are  such  manifest,  hypocritical  liars,  and  so 
earthly-minded,  some  of  whom  also  are  lurking  for  blood,  as 
may  be  seen  openly  in  such  places  ;  and  in  this  respect  we  will 
take  the  wise  men  as  an  example;  Avho  being  privately  ex- 
horted from  heaven  not  to  return  to  Herod  again,  (Matt.  2, ) 
and  by  the  grace  of  God  take  sure  heed  to  the  Lord's  inspirit- 
ing counsel,  doctrine  and  exhortation,  and  turn  to  those  who 
recommend  Christ  to  us  in  power,  and  according  to  the  spirit, 
rightly  teach  and  exhibit  the  truth. 

Fourthly,  some  of  them  say :  Although  the  devil  .should 
preach  the  word  of  God,  why  should  we  not  hear  him  ? 

5* 


106  COUNTER  ARGUMENTS  OP  BABYLON,  AND  OP 

In  the  first  place  I  reply  to  these  vain,  slanderous  calumni- 
ators, that  it  would  be  well  for  them  to  learn  to  rightly  distin- 
guish between  the  spirit  and  disposition  of  the  devil,  and  the 
spirit  and  nature  of  Christ,  before  they  would  utter  such  un- 
seasonable, blasphemous  words  before  the  poor  people. 

The  devil  was  a  liar  from  the  beginning,  and  will  undoubt- 
edly always  be.  (John  8.)  Since  then  he  is  a  liar,  and  lying 
his  nature,  disj^osition  and  work,  as  the  Lord  says,  how  can  he 
then  rightly  teach  and  preach  the  word  of  God,  which  is  truth, 
and  diametrically  opposed  to  his  lying  disposition  and  nature, 
and  though  he  did  rightly  teach  the  truth,  and  give  Christ  his 
praise,  still  he  does  so  with  a  false  heart ;  for  he  is  a  devil  and 
the  truth  is  not  in  him. 

He  confessed  Christ,  rightly  and  according  to  the  contents 
of  his  word,  when  he  said  :  Thou  art  Christ,  the  holy  one  of 
God:  thou  art  Christ,  the  Son  of  God.  However,  Christ 
wanted  not  his  confession,  but  reproved  him  and  said :  Hold 
your  peace,  and  come  out  of  him,  (Luke  4,)  for  his  confession 
was  made  with  a  diabolical  heart,  as  said. 

Secondly,  I  say  :  If  any  one  would  hear  the  voice  of  the  devil, 
he  need  not  go  far  ;  alas  !  he  can  hear  him  every  where.  All 
who  speak  lies,  speak  of  the  devil.  (John  8. )  In  the  beginning 
he  spoke  through  the  serpent;  in  Israel  through  the  false 
prophets,  and  now  through  Ms  preachers,  in  order  to  deceive 
the  people  of  the  world,  and  divert  them  from  the  truth,  that 
they  never  can  be  saved. 

Since  then,  that  he  was  from  the  beginning  a  lying  spirit,  an 
adversary  of  God,  a  falsifier  of  the  scriptures,  and  a  murderer 
of  souls,  and  will  eternally  be  such,  who  can  neither  teach  nor 
endure  any  thing  good,  because  he  is  by  nature  unclean,  a  liar, 
and  a  deceiver,  always  the  enemy  of  God,  we  vrill  therefore  stop 
our  ears  through  grace,  and  not  hear  such  blasphemous  speak- 
ing; turn  our  backs  upon  the  devil,  with  all  his  lying  preachers, 
as  the  scriptures  teach;  and  we  will  sincerely  believe  the 
scriptures  which  direct  us  to  Christ  to  hear  him.  (Deut.  18; 
Matt.  17;  Mark  9.)  And  Christ  directs  us  to  his  disciples,  and 
they  direct  us  to  such  teachers  who  are  blameless  in  doctrine 
and  life,  as  related.  (Matt.  10;  1  Tim.  3;  Tit.  1.)  May  the 
merciful  and  gracious  Lord  eternally  preserve  all  the  pious 
hearts  against  this  Herodian  generation,  and  against  the  devil's 
preachers.     Amen. 

Fifthly,  some  also  say:  That  we  may  hear  them,  if  we  suffer 
ourselves  not  to  be  deceived  by  them.    • 

I  answer,  the  reader  should  observe  how  the  people  of  God 
ever  were,  from  the  days  of  Abraham,  separated  from  the  world; 
and  especially  since  the  days  of  Moses,  they  have  had  their  own 
particular  preachers,  teachers,  ceremonies,  ordinances  and  ser- 


ITS  BUILDERS,  WITH  THEIR  REPLICATIONS.  107 

vices,  as  may  be  abundantly  read  and  seen  in  all  the  books  of 
Moses. 

Secondly,  that  Israel  was  commanded  by  God,  that  if  a  false 
prophet  were  to  rise  up  among  them,  and  though  he  were  to  do 
wonders  and  signs,  he  should  die.     (Deut.  13,  18.) 

Thirdly,  Israel  was  not  allowed  to  teach  or  to  receive  any 
doctrine  or  worship  from  any  strange  nations  circumjacent  to 
them,  but  to  keep  closely  to  the  law  and  testimonies.  (Isa.  8.) 

Fourthly,  where  there  arose  some  ungodly  kings,  such  as 
Jeroboam,  Ahab,  Mannassah  and  many  others,  who  loved  their 
own  righteousness  and  idolatry  more  than  the  word  and  right 
worship  of  the  Lord;  and  when  the  false  prophets  multiplied, 
who  turned  the  people  from  the  Lord  and  his  law,  then  also  did 
the  Lord  raise  up  true  prophets  such  as  Isaiah,  Jeremiah,  &c., 
to  reprove  the  disobedient,  idolatrous  kings  and  false  prophets, 
warned  the  people  faithfully  of  them,  and  said :  Hearken  not 
unto  the  words  of  the  prophets  that  prophesy  unto  you;  they 
make  you  vain;  they  speak  a  vision  of  their  own  hearts,  and  not 
out  of  the  mouth  of  the  Lord.  (Jer.  23.)  These  prophets  all 
gloriously  pointed  to  Christ,  to  his  kingdom  and  reign. 

Fifthly.  That  Christ  did,  as  well  as  Moses,  ordain  and 
appoint  in  his  kingdom,  community,  or  church,  prophets, 
preachers,  teachers,  ceremonies  and  ordinances,  which  are  to 
be  observed  by  all  true  Christians  for  ever.   (Matt.  18;  Mark  16.) 

Sixthly.  The  holy  apostles  teach  us  abundantly,  that  we  are 
to  separate  ourselves  from  those  in  doctrine  and  in  worship,  be 
they  baptized  or  not,  if  they  agree  not  with  the  spirit,  doctrine, 
regulations  and  examples  of  Christ.  (Matt.  15;  John  10;  Rom. 
16,  3;  1  Tim.  6;  2  Tim.  2,  3;  Tit.  3;  2  John  1;  Tit.  6;  2  Tim.  2; 
1  John  1.) 

Seventhly.  That  the  whole  world  with  their  spirit,  doctrine, 
sacrament,  worship  and  conduct,  are  far  from  Christ's  spirit, 
Word,  sacrament,  worship  and  example;  and,  alas!  are  nothing 
but  a  new  Sodom,  Egypt  and  Babel.     (Rev.  11,  17.) 

Eighthly.  That  all  those  who  acknowledge  God's  word,  and 
are  partakers  of  his  spirit,  are  called  on  to  let  their  lights  shine 
out  of  darkness  and  give  light  to  the  world,  that  they  reprove 
all  ungodliness  by  word,  deed,  life  and  death,  confess  the  Lord's 
holy  name,  word  and  will,  and  confirm  it  by  a  pious  and  un- 
blamable life,  according  to  the  scriptures.  (Matt.  5;  Phil.  2; 
Eph.  5;  1  Pet.  2.) 

Ninthly.  That  it  were  better  to  have  a  mill-stone  hanged  to 
one's  neck,  and  to  be  cast  into  the  depth  of  the  sea,  than  to 
oftend  one  of  these  little  ones,  who  believe  in  Christ.  (Matt. 
18.) 

Tenthly.  That  we  reflect  well,  why  or  for  what  reason  we  are 
not  to  hear  such  preachers.    If  we  do  hear  them,  and  desire  to 


108  COUNTER  ARGUMENTS  OF  BABYLON,  AND  OP 

be  taught  of  tliem,  then  seek  we  the  truth  among  lies,  and  life 
among  the  dead.  But  if  we  will  not  be  taught  of  them,  but  use 
our  liberty,  as  they  call  it,  we  must  then  confess  that  such 
hearing  is  no  hearing,  but  trifling  and  hypocrisy,  by  which  we 
despise  Christ's  spirit,  doctrine,  regulations,  counsel,  admoni- 
tion, community  and  church;  and  encourage  Antichrist's  se-^ 
ducing  abominations,  idolatry  and  kingdom;  and  conform  to 
the  world  in  all  appearance  of  evil,  act  the  hypocrite,  grieve 
and  vex  many  a  pious  child  of  God,  cause  strife  among  the 
pious,  and  esteem  lightly  the  innocent  blood  which  is  shed  in 
many  places  on  this  account. 

Behold,  my  readers,  all  who  fear  the  Lord,  and  rightly  exam- 
ine and  judge  these  ten  articles^  by  the  spirit  and  word  of  the 
Lord,  will  not  halt  here,  but  v/ill  faithfully  take  heed  to  the 
counsel  and  admonition  of  the  Holy  Ghost;  reprove  the  world 
both  by  works  and  doctrine,  flee  all  appearance  of  evil  and 
walk  unblamably  in  the  house  of  the  Lord. 

But  touching  the  false  worship,  the  light-minded  comfort  one 
another,  and  say:  children  may  be  baptized;  for  the  child  is 
clean;  the  water  is  clean;  to  wash  and  to  bathe  is  also  clean, 
&c.  We  may  also  receive  the  supper  of  the  Lord  at  the  hands 
of  these  preachers,  although  it  is  in  idolatrous  houses  ;  Chris- 
tians have  no  idols  any  more,  they  only  use  bread  and  wine  as 
such,  which  is  pure  to  the  pure ;  (2  Cor.  8)  for  Paul  says  :  To 
the  pure  all  things  are  pure.  And  they  appeal  to  the  case  of 
Naaman,  the  Captain  of  the  king  of  Assyria  ;  and  to  the  house 
of  Rimmon,  (Rom.  14  ;  Tit.  1  :  2  Chron.  5)  and  say  :  We  care 
not  for  the  idolatry  of  the  priests,  but  we  worship  Him  who 
made  heaven  and  earth,  &c. 

I  answer  :  Can  a  single  passage  be  adduced  from  the  scrip- 
tures, that  uncleanness,  sin,  falsifying  the  ordinances  of  God, 
idolatry,  disobedience  to  the  word,  and  hypocrisy,  are  all  pure 
to  the  pure,  that  is  to  the  true  believers?  then  we  might  con- 
sider a  little  on  it.  But  we  know,  certainly,  that  not  a  single 
passage  can  be  advanced. 

O  my  reader,  had  the  men  of  God  thus  understood  the  scrip- 
tures,- as  these  poor  people  do,  the  three  valiant  young  men 
would  have  by  no  means  suffered  themselves  to  be  cast  into  the 
fiery  furnace.  (Dan.  3 ;  2  Mace.  6,  7. )  The  upright  Eleazer, 
pious  Susan,  the  mother  with  her  seven  son?,  the  holy  prophets, 
apostles  and  pious  witnesses  of  God,  would  have  saved  their 
lives,  would  have  escaped  the  cruel  tortm-es  and  pains,  and 
said :  To  the  pure  all  things  are  pure,  we  will  cheerfully 
comply. 

O  no,  my  good  reader,  no :  the  clean  are  not  to  touch  the 
unclean.  Touch  not,  says  the  spirit  of  God  through  Isaiah 
and  Paul,  the  unclean  thing,  that  is,  what  the  scriptures  for- 


ITS  BUILDERS,  WITH  THEIR  REPLICATION.  109 

bid.  (Isa.  52;  2  Cor.  6.)  He  that  washeth  himself, |after  the 
touching  of  a  dead  body,  if  he  touch  it  again,  what  availeth 
his  washing  ?  Is  it  not  folly  for  any  man  to  wash  his  clothes, 
and  afterwards  tread  them  into  the  mire  again?  (Eccl.  34.) 
The  scriptures  plainly  teach  that  the  just  shall  live  by  faith; 
and  that  a  good  tree  brings  forth  good  fruit.  (Heb.  1  ;  Rom. 
1  ;  Gal.  3  ;  Heb.  10.)  And  we  certainly  know  that  an  humble, 
lowly-minded  soul  will  never  magnificently  array  itself,  dressed 
in  gold,  pearls  or  other  costly  apparel,  (Matt.  7,  12,)  and  that 
those  who  fear  the  Lord  will  be  honest,  chaste,  sober ;  they 
will  not  drink  with  dishonorable  women,  sing  and  dance  with 
them  ;  for  the  knowledge,  fear  and  love  of  God  and  his  word 
forbid  them  ;  and  should  one  do  so,  we  should  know  that  his 
light  is  darkness,  and  his  conduct  not  agreeable  to  the  scrip- 
tures. And  so  it  does  also  illy  become  those  who  boast  of  the 
word,  and  would  reprove  seduction,  the  idolatry  and  abomina- 
tions of  preachers,  by  the  scriptures,  and  yet  associate  with 
them  in  their  false  service,  doctrine  and  sacraments;  words 
without  actions  profit  nothing.  (Matt.  23  ;  Rom.  1.)  Have  no 
fellowship  with  the  unfruitful  works  of  darkness,  but  rather 
reprove  them.  (Eph.  5.) 

It  is  true,  that  to  the  pure  all  things  are  pure  which  are  not 
contrary  to  the  spirit  and  word  of  God.  For  none  are  called 
pure  in  the  scriptures  except  those  who  conform  to  the  spirit 
and  word  of  the  Lord.  All  who  agree  with  the  word,  to  them 
all  lawful,  pure  things,  are  pure,  such  as  eating,  drinking, 
clothing,  houses,  manors,  land,  gold,  silver,  wives,  children, 
goods,  food,  to  wake,  to  sleep,  to  speak,  to  be  silent,  and  all 
things  which  God  has  given  us  as  necessaries  ;  because  they  are 
pure,  they  will  also  use  all  lawful,  pure  things  purely  ;  namely, 
in  the  fear  of  God,  with  thanksgiving  and  moderation,  to  the 
praise  of  God  and  to  the  service  of  their  fellow  man  ;  for  which 
end  these  things  were  given  by  God  to  the  use  of  men. 

But  all  things  prohibited  of  God,  such  as  hypocrisy,  un- 
fruitful works,  conformity  to  the  world,  living  in  aflBluence  and 
splendor,  living  in  idolatry,  are  by  all  means  impure  to  the 
pure,  to  the  willing,  ^obedient  children  of  God  ;  and  the  pure 
can  never  use  things  impurely  through  all  eternity,  according 
to  the  will  of  God  ;  for  the  spirit  of  God  and  his  word  forbid 
them. . 

Adam  was  allowed  of  God  to  eat  of  all  the  vegetables  and 
fruits  of  the  earth,  for  his  subsistence,  except  of  the  tree  of 
knowledge  of  good  and  evil ;  for  if  he  would  eat  thereof  he  was 
to  die.  (Gen.  3.^  All  the  fruits  and  creatiu-es  allowed  of  ^God 
were  pure  to  pure  Adam,  but  one  tree  was  impure  to  him 
through  the  command  of  God ;  he  eat  thereof  and  with  all  his 
seed  he  fell  under  the  power  of  death. 


110  COUNTER  ARGUMENTS  OF  BABYLON  AND  OP 

And  even  as  all  things  are  pure  to  the  pure,  and  are  for  the 
good  of  the  pious,  so  also  to  the  impure  all  things  are  impure, 
and  encourage  the  evil  one  to  do  wickedness;  because  they  are 
impure  they  use  all  the  creatures  of  God  impurely.  They  eat 
and  drink  with  excess;  they  dress  gorgeously  and  indulge  in 
lewdness;  they  raise  their  childrento  idleness;  they  avariciously 
hoard  gold, silver,  houses  and  lands,  (Tit.  1,)  and  there  is  nothing 
they  use  purely  according  to  the  will  of  God;  for  they  are  im- 
pure, sensual,  disobedient  to  the  word,  and  are  earthly-minded, 
as  the  scriptures  say. 

Further:  it  is  also  an  abominable  calumny  and  slanderous 
seduction,  what  some  pretend  and  say  that  outward  idolatry 
cannot  defile  and  make  impure,  if  not  sanctioned  by  the  heart. 

My  good  reader,  if  that  were  true  all  the  passages  would 
have  been  spoken  to  no  purpose,  which  say:  neither  be  ye 
idolators  as  were  some  of  them  ;  have  no  fellowship  with  the 
unfruitful  works  of  darkness;  avoid  all  appearance  of  evil,  &c., 
(1  Cor.  10;  Eph.  5;  1  Thes.  5;)  then  would  also  the  offence  of 
the  cross  have  been  ended.  No,  no,  it  becomes  a  true  Christian 
to  be  wholly  pious,  to  glorify  God,  both  in  body  jind  spirit. 
(1  Cor.  6.) 

Aaron,  a  high  priest  called  of  God,  a  type  of  the  Lord  Jesus, 
when  he  was  constrained  of  the  people  to  make  gods  for  them 
which  should  go  before  them,  was  overcome  through  the 
weakness  of  the  flesh,  that  he  yielded  to  the  idolators  and 
made  them  a  golden  calf.  Aaron  did  not  worship  it,  in  his 
heart ;  for  he  well  knew  it  was  not  God,  who  led  them  through 
the  red  sea,  but  that  it  was  a  creature  made  of  gold.  Never- 
theless this  guilt  was  charged  to  Aaron,  for  Moses  said  :  What 
did  this  people  unto  thee  that  thou  didst  bring  so  great  a  sin 
upon  them?  (Exod.  33,)  yea,  the  Lord  would  have  destroyed 
him  had  not  Moses  interceded  for  him.     (Deut.  9.) 

We  would  that  all  founders  of  sects  and  erring  spirits,  whose 
rejection  of  the  cross,  ease,  sensual  minds  and  hypocrisy,  is 
cloaked  under  the  semblance  of  the  word  of  God,  ^vould  reflect 
well  upon  the  history  of  Aaron  ;  I  trust  they  would  no  longer 
conceal  their  nudity  and  disgrace  with  fig-leaves ;  but  would 
clothe  themselves  with  the  true  coat  of  skius,  with  Jesus  Christ 
made  of  God  ;  (Gen.  3,)  for  they  comfort  and  encourage  the 
poor,  rude  people  in  their  idolatry  and  faith,  by  their  ungodly 
dealings,  which  they  call  liberty,  grieve  the  pious  unto  death, 
discourage  and  offend  the  poor,  wavering  souls  of  whom  it  is 
written  :  But  whoso  shall  offend  one  of  these  little  ones,  which 
believe  in  me,  it  were  better  for  him  that  a  mill-stone  were 
hanged  about  his  neck,  and  that  he  were  drowned  in  the  depth 
of  the  sea.     (Matt.  18.) 

What  christian  liberty  is,  and  how  it  is  to  be  used  according 


ITS  BUILDERS,  WITH  THEIR  REPLICATION.  Ill 

to  the  will  of  God,  is  fully  explained  in  Rom.  14 ;  1  Cor.  6,  8, 10. 

Say,  beloved,  how  can  we  count  that  as  belonging  to  Chris- 
tian liberty,  which  is  so  openly  committed  against  so  many 
passages  in  the  scriptures  against  brotherly  and  universal  love, 
and  contrary  to  all  the  examples  of  so  many  saints,  as  said  ? 

O,  were  they  pure  of  heart,  who  introduce  such  subtle  argu- 
ments, and  would  they  but  love  Christ  supremely  over  every- 
thing, how  soon  they  would  then  know  that  that  which  they 
maintain  is  contrary  to  the  spirit  and  word  of  God.  But  I  fear 
they  are  those  concerning  whom  it  is  written  :  There  is  a  gen- 
eration that  are  pure  in  their  own  eyes,  and  yet  are  not  washed 
from  their  fiithiness.  (Pro v.  30.) 

Touching  Naaman,  we  have  to  notice  attentively  the  follow- 
ing passages : 

First,  that  Naaman  was  neither  a  Jew,  nor  a  proselyte,  but 
a  foreigner,  who  was  not  included  in  the  doctrine,  ceremonies, 
ordinances  and  righteousness  of  Israel,  although  he  would  no 
longer  serve  idols,  and  would  serve  and  offer  to  God,  he  was 
not  circumcised. 

Secondly  :  that  he  was  the  servant  of  his  master,  upon  whom 
the  king  depended  ;  and  therefore  had  to  attend  to  the  service 
of  his  master  when  the  king  worshiped  in  the  house  of  Rim- 
mon.  Naaman  would  worship  none  other  than  the  true  God 
who  had  cleansed  him. 

Thirdly  :  That  we  cannot  conclude  with  certainty  from  the 
answer  of  the  prophet,  how  far  he  d\d,  or  did  not  comply. 

Fourthly :  That  the  house  of  Rimmon,  and  the  service 
thereof,  and  our  temple  with  its  services,  are  not  the  same  ; 
for  in  the  house  of  Rimmon  the  name  of  God,  the  laws,  the 
ordinances  and  ceremonies,  were  not  abused,  for  they  were  not 
known  there.  But  what  abuses,  disgrace,  scoflfings,  abomina- 
tion and  blasphemy,  are  carried  on  in  our  temples  under  the 
name  of  Christ,  all  rational  men  may  determine  by  the  scrip- 
tures. 

But  if  any  one  says  :  Why  do  you  concern  yourselves  about 
the  doings  of  the  priests  ?  Worship  God  as  Naaman  did,  &c. 
This  sounds  to  us  thus  :  "  Behold  your  pious  father  will  be  very 
slanderously  mocked,  insulted,  reviled  and  much  abused  ;  let 
such  things  not  move  you,  or  confound  you,  but  be  unconcerned 
and  contented.  Submit  quietly,  but  in  your  heart  honor  your 
father,  &c,"  Say,  beloved,  what  rational  and  upright  child 
could  see  his  father  thus  treated,  and  say  nothing  and  submit 
quietly? 

Since,  then,  we  see  with  unclouded  eyes  how  miserably  they 
treat  our  eternal  Father,  who  loveqL  us  so  greatly,  in  their 
houses  of  abomination  ;  and  how  they  behave  towards  his  son, 
Jesus  Christ,  who  bought  us  with  such  a  precious  price.  Again. 


113  COUNTER  ARGUMENTS  OF  BABYLON  AND   OP 

How  they  quencli  his  Holy  Spirit,  hate  his  will,  his  word,  and 
abuse  his  sacraments,  reject  his  ordinances  and  commands,  re- 
vile and  reproach  his  children,  deceive  poor  poor  souls,  rob 
Christ  of  his  own,  and  his  i^lory ;  and  with  all  this,  we  are  to 
unite  with  such  open  enemies  of  God ! — to  act  the  hypocrite 
with  them,  to  listen  to  their  ungodly  seductions  and  abomina- 
tions ! — if  we  should,  we  would  be  very  ungrateful  children, 
and  without  love.     This  is  incontrovertibly  true. 

No  !  Such  is  not  the  way  of  pious  Christians ;  but  as  Christ 
defends  his  church,  is  not  ashamed  of  her,  and  enlightens  her 
by  his  Holy  Spirit  and  word,  comforts  her  in  all  her  distresses, 
strengthens  her  in  sufferings  and  endows  her  with  power  and 
wisdom,  before  lords  and  princes,  wise  and  learned,  and  before 
the  whole  world,  that  all  have  to  be  silent  and  ashamed  in 
presence  of  a  poor,  humble  Christian  ;  and  in  the  day  of  judg- 
ment acknowledge  her  before  his  Father,  (Matt.  10 ;  Luke  12,) 
and  will  bestow  her  the  eternal  kingdom  ;  and  so  do  the  spirit 
and  love  of  Christ|also"demand  of  us,  that  we  confess  before  men 
his  divine  honor,  word,  and  ordinances ;  and  besides  we  are  to 
testify  it  by  our  works,  possessions,  blood,  life  and  death,  and 
not  clandestinely  frequent  such  houses  of  abomination,  where 
his  great  and  adorable  name  is  so  miserably  dishonored  and 
slandered  ;  and  where  we  hear  not  the  truth,  nor  learn  any  piety. 
For  it  is  nothing  but  hypocrisy  which  they  teach;  although  they 
do  disguise  it  with  the  word  of  the  Lord,  (Jer.  8)  as  may  be 
evidently  observed  by  their  works. 

They  all,  teachers  and  hearers,  run,  says  the  prophet,  like  a 
frantic  heifer  (Hos.  4) — they  all  hate  reproof  and  instruction, 
and  live  imprudently  according  to  their  own  lusts.  (Ezek.  11.) 
They  desire  not  God's  word,  therefore,  I  fear  the  scourge  is 
ready,  and  the  avenging  sword  of  the  Lord  is  drawn;  that  soon 
one  ungodly  man  will  eat  another,  so  that  many  of  them  be 
eaten  up,  for  this  foolish  people  desire  to  be  beaten. 
(Hos.  4.) 

Fifthly.  We  have  to  observe,  that  in  the  New  Testament 
we  are  only  directed  to  the  spirit,  word,  counsel,  admonition 
and  usages  of  Christ:  what  he  allows  us  we  may  do;  but  what 
he  forbids  we  dare  not  do;  it  becomes  all  true  Christians  to 
conform  thereto,  and  not  according  to  such  doubtful  histories 
and  obscure  passages,  from  which  we  candraw  no  sure  ground, 
and  which  teach  the  very  reverse  of  what  the  Lord's  apostles 
publicly  taught. 

Here  I  would  faithfully  admonish  the  sincere  reader,  that  he 
would  not  suffer  himself  to  be  deceived  with  such  words;  but 
at  all  times  to  keep  to  and  abide  in  the  unchangeable  and  sure 
ground,  (1  Cor.  3)  whict  the  faithful  witnesses  of  Christ,  the 
holy  apostles,  left  to  us,  which  they  |taught  us  plainly  in  their 


ITS  BUILDERS,  WITH  THEIR  REPLICATION.  113 

writings;  for  the  deceivers  seek  but  to  confound  the  wavering, 
and  to  be  free  from  the  cross  of  Christ. 

But,  say  they:  We  esteem  it  to  be  better,  though  we  do  so 
sometimes,  so  that  we  may  administer  to  our  wives  and  children, 
and  serve  the  poor,  than  that  we  wholly  abandon  the  preachers, 
and  thereby  make  all  our  possessions  a  prey.  (Deut.  6;  Matt. 
22.) 

To  which  we  reply,  in  the  first  place:  The  first  command 
teaches,  thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all  thy  heart, 
with  all  thy  soul,  and  with  all  thy  strength.  Where  the  name 
of  the  Lord  is  profaned,  and  where  his  word  is  violated,  there 
it  behooves  you  to  reprove  such  things  with  an  unblamable  life, 
and  by  the  word  of  God,  and  to  defend  the  praises  of  God,  as 
much  as  in  you  is;  and  reflect  upon  what  the  Lord  says:  Who- 
soever loves  father,  mother,  brother,  sister,  wife,  children, 
possessions  and  life  more  than  me,  cannot  be  my  disciple. 
(Matt.  10;  Luke  2,  14.) 

Secondly.  That  all  who  believe  that  God  made  heaven  and 
earth,  and  sustained  Israel  for  forty  days  with  bread  from  heav- 
en, and  water  from  the  rock,  sent  Elias  his  necessary  food  by  a 
raven,  (Gen.  1;  Lev.  16, ,17;  Deut.  8,  16;  1  Kings  17,)  who  gives 
the  birds  in  the  air,  the  fishes  in  the  water,  and  the  reptiles 
upon  earth,  all  their  food ;  those  will  not  doubt  the  goodness, 
power  and  promise  of  their  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  says:  First 
seek  the  kingdom  of  heaven  and  his  righteousness,  and  all  other 
things  shall  be  added  unto  you,  (Matt.  6,)  for  if  the  countenance 
of  his  grace  is  in  this  matter  over  those  who  reject  him,  how 
much  more  over  those  who  fear  him  and  keep  his  command- 
ments. 

Thirdly.  That  the  Almighty,  bountiful  God,  God  Shaddai, 
who  is  all-sufficient  to  support  the  poor  and  needy  without 
any  idolatry,  hypocrisy  and  service  of  the  devil;  because  he 
has  no  delight  in  such  offerings  and  gifts  of  unrighteousness; 
as  the  prophet  says:  Behold,  to  obey  is  better  than  sacrifice, 
and  to  hearken  than  the  fat  of  rams;  for  rebellion  is  as  the 
sin  of  witchcraft,  and  stubbornness  is  as  iniquity  and  idolatry 
(1  Sam.  15.) 

All,  therefore,  who  say  that  they  do  this  on  account  of  their 
wife  and  children,  and  for  the  poor's  sake,  they  ought  to  know 
that  they  love  their  wife  and  children  more  than  God,  and 
lesson  the  arm  and  power  of  God,  (Eccl.  35,)  and  lie  unto  the 
Lord;  hence  their  indolence,  and  thus  they  avoid  the  cross, 
and  cloak  their  unbelief,  their  earthly  mind  and  hypocrisy 
under  such  a  pretext.  Let  every  one  take  heed  to  himself  and 
fear  God,  who  has  eyes  like  flaming  fire,  which  penetrate  heaven 
and  earth,  and  cannotbe  blinded  by  fair  words.  (Acts  5;  Rev.  1.) 

Again:  They  further  pretend  that  Paul  purified  himself  ac- 


114      COUNTER  ARGUMENTS  OF  BABYLON  AND  OF 

cording  to  the  Jews'  custom,  (Acts  16,)  and  Timothy  was  cir- 
cumcised. This  is  quite  different,  for  these  were  things  which 
God  had  commanded,  although  they  ended  in  Christ.  The 
reason  why  Paul  consented  thereto  was,  that  he  might  preach 
the  word  with  more  freedom  to  the  Jews,  as  he  says :  Unto  the 
Jews  I  became  a  Jew,  that  I  might  gain  the  Jews;  to  them  that 
are  under  the  law,  that  I  might  gain  them  that  are  under  the 
law.     CI  Cor.  9.) 

And  since  these  works  originated  not  with  Antichrist,  but 
from  God,  with  which  Paul  would  not  offend  the  weak  Jews, 
as  explained:  How  can  we  then  show  by  them  that  we  are  at 
liberty  to  hear  false  preaching,  receive  the  baptism  and  enjoy 
the  supper  of  Antichrist,  and  to  take  part  with  the  world  in 
open  idolatry  and  blasphemy  ?  Though  this  be  not  done  with 
the  heart,  it  is  at  least  in  appearance.  Or  we  must  consider 
the  works  of  the  law,  which  were  of  God,  to  be  as  unclean  and 
ungodly  as  the  works  and  abominations  of  darkness,  which  are 
of  the  devil;  and  to  esteem  the  avoiding  of  the  cross  of  Christ, 
as  the  laudable  zeal  of  Paul,  when  he  would  teach  the  Jews  the 
gospel  of  Christ! 

O  my  taithful  reader,  if  you  would  not  lose  your  poor  soul, 
do  not  then  dishonor  Christ,  do  rightly,  seek  his  praise,  obey 
his  spirit,  doctrine,  counsel,  admonition  and  example,  and  you 
v/ill  never  be  made  ashamed ;  you  will  soon  discover  that  Paul's 
purification,  and  Timothy's  circumcision,  are  vastly  different 
from  the  doings,  works,  abominations,  idolatry  and  blasphemy 
of  Antichrist,  which  have  been  practised  from  time  to  time, 
in  the  name  of  Christ,  even  to  the  present  day.  May  the  gra- 
cious, merciful  God  grant  that  you  may  all  come  to  the  know- 
ledge, and  walk  in  his  truth,  Amen. 

Lastly.  They  say  :  That  we  are  yet  prisoners  in  Babel,  and 
that  we  may  therefore  do  in  semblance  the  works  of  Babel ; 
and  allege  Baruch's  sayings  :  Ye  shall  see  in  Babylon  gods  of 
silver,  and  of  gold,  and  of  wood,  borne  upon  shoulders,  which 
cause  the  heathens  to  fear  :  beware,  therefore,  that  ye  in  no  wise 
be  like  to  strangers,  neither;  be  ye  afraid  of  them,  when 
ye  see  the  multitude  before  them  and  behind  them,  worshiping 
them  :  but  say  in  your  hearts,  O  Lord,  we  must  worship  thee. 
(Bar.  6.) 

Answer.  Here  we  have  first  to  observe,  what  is  shown  by 
the  Babylonian  captivity  ;  for  when  the  Israelites  did  not  serve 
God  aright,  in  their  own  country,  they  were  scattered  accord- 
ing to  the  prediction  of  Moses,  by  the  righteous  and  gracious 
judgment  of  God,  among  the  heathen  nations,  and  were  led 
captive  under  the  dominion  of  Babylon,  (Deut.  4,  28. )  So  it  is 
with  those  who  boast  themselves  as  being  the  spiritual  Israel ; 
because  they  became  unfaithful  to  the  Lord,  and  rejected  his 


ITS  BUILDERS,  WITH  THEIR  REPLICATION.  115 

word,  and  turned  their  cars  to  preachers  of  lies,  the  Babylonian 
king,  Antichrist,  has  taken  advantage  of  them  and  deprived 
them  of  the  true  doctrine,  ceremonies  and  services,  and  led 
them  captive  under  his  dominion,  and  has  bound  them  miser- 
ably with  the  cords  of  error  and  idolatrous  abominations. 

But  all  those  who  are  again  enlightened  by  the  spirit  and 
word  of  the  Lord,  and  born  of  God,  and  die  unto  the  old  man, 
sin  ;  forsake  all  human  misleadings,  and  rightly  use.  the  Lord's 
holy  sacraments,  ordinances  and  divine  services,  they  are  freed 
from  spiritual  Babylon,  that  is,  from  sin,  hell,  death,  devil,  from 
the  doctrines  and  commands  of  men,  and  from  all  idolatry, 
abomipations  and  crimes,  as  Paul  says  :  There  is,  therefore, 
now  no  condemnation  to  them  who  are  in  Christ  Jesus,  who 
walk  not  after  the  flesh,  but  after  the  spirit ;  for  the  law  of  the 
spirit  of  life  in  Christ  Jesus,  hath  made  me  free  from  the  law 
of  sin  and  death.  (Rom.  8.) 

All,  then,  who  say  that  they  are  yet  captives  of  Babylon, 
testify  that  they  have  not  been  set  at  liberty  by  the  Cyrus, 
Jesus  Christ,  from  their  sins,  and  not  come  from  Chaldea  to 
Jerusalem.  (2  Cor.  3  ;  1  Ezra  1.) 

Secondly  :  That  Israel  is  not  commanded  here  to  conform 
themselves  to  the  Gentiles  ;  but  when  they  saw  them  carry  their 
idols,  (even  as  we  may  see  on  the  days  of  papistical  processions 
and  abominations,  although  we  are  not  in  their  temple,)  then 
they  should  worship  God  only,  and  give  him  the  honor  ;  for  if 
God  had  commanded  them  to  confonn  in  all  things  to  the 
Babylonian  idolatry,  and  only  to  serve  the  Lord  with  their 
heart  secretly,  then  Schadrach,  Meshach  and  Abednego  acted 
foolishly  to  refuse  worshipping  the  great  golden  idol,  on  account 
of  which  they  hazarded  their  lives.  (Dan.  3.)  O  no  !  the  mi- 
raculous work,  shown  of  God  to  them,  testifies  that  they  acted 
rightly.  All,  then,  I  say,  who  teach  that  true  believers  are  not 
released  from  Babylon,  do  thereby  deny  the  mei;its,  death  and 
blood  of  Christ,  and  faith  with  its  power,  and  the  Holy  Ghost 
with  his  liberty,  and  despise  wholly  the  iimocent  blood  of  the 
free  witnesses  of  the  free  children  of  God,  which  is  shed  so 
abundantly. 

Let  every  one  see  well  to  it  what  he  believes  and  learns  ;  for 
I  fear  that  both  the  bloodshedder  and  the  despiser  are  alike 
guilty.  My  good  reader,  examine  the  scriptures  well,  and  j'^ou 
will  find  that  to  the  free  children  of  God  here  ypon  earth, 
there  is  no  liberty  promised  as  to  the  flesh,  as  Christ  says  :  Ye 
shall  be  hated  of  all  men  for  my  name's  sake.  (Matt.  24.) 
Again  :  He  that  would  follow  me,  let  him  deny  himself,  and 
take  up  his  cross  and  follow  me.  (Matt.  IG.)  Again  :  All  who 
will  kill  you,  think  they  do  God  service.  (John  16.)  All  who 
would  live  godly  in  Christ  Jesus,  says  Paul,  must  suffer  perse- 


116  COUNTER  ARGUMENTS  OP  BABYLON  AND  OP 

cutiou,  (  2  Tim.  3.)  And  through  much  tribulation  we  must 
enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God.  (Acts  14.)  For  the  liberty  of 
the  spirit  is  to  be  maintained  with  much  misery,  tribulation, 
persecutions,  bonds,  fear  and  death.  The  servant  is  not  greater 
than  his  lord,  and  the  disciple  is  not  greater  than  his  master  ; 
but  it  is  enough  that  he  be  like  his  lord  and  master.  (Matt.  10; 
John  13,  15.) 

Behold,  beloved  sirs,  friends  and  brethren,  here  you  have  the 
leading  parts  and  chief  articles  of  a  christian  ground  and 
FOUNDATION,  With  a  plain  instruction  and  exposition  of  the 
Anti-Christian  abominations  and  Babylonian  acts,  whereby  the 
true  apostolic  foundation,  for  a  long  time,  was  corrupted  and 
razed  to  the  ground  ;  and  we  have  contrasted  light  and  dark- 
ness, truth  and  falsehood,  that  the  whole  truth  by  our  seeking, 
doctrine  and  belief,  undertaking  and  weak  attempts,  may  be 
made  manifest. 

And  I  hope  by  the  grace  of  God,  that  you  will  readily  receive 
it,  if  you  are  at  all  honestly  disposed,  read  it  with  a  sincere 
heart,  fear  God,  and  acknowledge  Christ,  as  the  true  head;  and 
see  that  we  are  grounded  upon  the  eternal  corner  stone,  that  we 
walk  in  the  right  way,  although  in  weakness,  and  hold  the  plain 
truths,  (Isa.  28;  Eph.  2;  Ps.  117;  2  Pet.  2;  Matt.  21;  Luke  20; 
Acts  4, )  and  that  there  is  no  other  ground  or  way,  and  truth  to 
be  found  in  the  scriptures,  that  can  stand  before  God,  other 
than  this,  which  we  have  pointed  out,  and  which  we  on  every 
occasion  maintain  and  defend  in  so  much  tribulation. 

And  I  have  served  you  all  with  this  small  gift,  as  I  received 
it  from  my  God.  I  gladly  would  that  I  could  serve  you  longer 
with  great  and  abundant  grace,  to  the  praise  of  the  Lord. 
Therefore,  have  I  renounced  praise,  honor,  ease,  and  forsaken 
all,  and  willingly  submitted  to  the  pressing  cross  of  my  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  which  oftimes  assails  my  weak  flesh.  I  seek  neither 
gold  nor  silver,  (the  Lord  knows  this,)  but  am  ready,  with 
faithful  Moses,  to  suffer  affliction  with  the  people  of  God,  rather 
than  to  enjoy  the  pleasures^  of  sin  for  a  season;  and  I  esteem 
the  reproach  of  Christ  greater  riches  than  all  the  treasures  in 
^gypt>  foi"  I  know  what  the  scriptures  have  promised  us,  (2 
Thes.  2;  Heb.  11,)  and  this  is  my  only  joy  and  heart's  desire, 
that  I  may  extend  the  borders  of  the  kingdom  of  God,  publish 
the  truth,  reprove  sin,  teach  righteousness,  feed  the  hungry  with 
the  word  of  the  Lord,  lead  the  stray  sheep  into  the  right  path, 
and  win  ma,ny  souls  to  the  Lord  through  his  spirit,  power  and 
grace,  and  so  act  in  my  weakness,  as  he  taught  me  who  pur- 
chased me,  a  miserable  sinner,  with  his  crimson  blood,  and  gave 
me  this  mind,  by  the  gospel  of  his  grace,  namely,  Jesus  Christ, 
to  him  be  praise  and  glory,  and  the  eternal  kingdom,  Amen. 


A  CHRISTIAN  EXHORTATION.  117 


A  CHEISTIA]^  AND 

AFFECTIONATE  EXHOKTATION  TO  ALL  IN 
AUTHOKITY. 

Also  to  the  Learned,  to  the  Common  People^  to  Sects  and  to  the 
Bride  of  Christ,  that  is  not  a  little  scorched  by  the  heat  of  the 
sun  -every  where. 

We  showed  you  in  tlie  preface,  faithful  reader,  why  or  where- 
fore we  published  these  our  wi'itings,  to  wit:  on  account  of  the 
abominable  deceiving,  and  the  manifold  dangers  at  this  time, 
when  are  to  be  found  so  many  schisms,  communities,  churches 
and  sects,  who  are  all  called  after  the  name  of  the  Lord;  such 
as  Roinans  or  papists,  Lutherans^  Zuinglians^  erring  sects,  and 
the  Christians  who  are  upbraided  as  ana-baptists.  Even  as  in 
former  times  among  the  Jews,  were  the  Chasidim,  Zadikir, 
Essenes,  Sadducees,  Pharisees,  &c.,  which  sacred  and  profane 
history  mention.  Each  boasts  to  be  the  Church  of  Christ,  and 
to  have  the  Lord's  word,  although  the  greater  part  of  them  not 
only  live  inconsistently  with  the  spirit,  word  and  example  of 
Christ,  but  they  very  enviously  upbraid  and  slander,  and  are 
inimically  opposed  to  it;  and  it  is  just  as  it  was  in  the  begin- 
ning, that  the  pious  every  where  have  to  suffer  much  from  the 
impious;  as  Abel  had  to  suffer  of  Cain;  Isaac  of  Ishmael; 
Jacob  of  Esau,  «fcc.,  although  created  by  the  same  God,  having 
one  common  origin,  boast  all  of  one  Christ;  and  in  the  day  of 
Judgment  find  the  same  judge.  Antichrist  rules  through  hy- 
pocrisy and  lies,  with  power  and  sword;  but  Christ  reigns  pa- 
tiently, with  his  word  and  spirit.  He  uses  neither  sword  or 
sabre.  O  man!  man!  Look  upon  the  irrational  creatures,  and 
learn  wisdom,  (1  Cor.  12.)  Roaring  lions,  frightful  bears,  and 
all  devouring  wolves  agree  among  themselves  with  their  re- 
spective species;  but  you,  poor,  helpless  worms — you,  who  are 
created  after  God's  own  image,  and  are  called  rational  beings, 
without  tusks,  claws  and  horns,  born  into  this  world  feeble, 
senseless,  speechless  and  powerless,  yea,  neither  able  to  stand 
nor  walk,  and  have  to  depend  entirely  upon  maternal  aid,  which 
teaches  you  that  you  are  to  be  peaceable  and  not  contentious; 
but  when  you  attain  your  understandings  and  manhood,  then 
you  are  so  very  restless,  tyrannical,  revengeful,  blood-thirsty 
and  unmerciful,  so  much  so  that  it  cannot  be  fully  conceived, 
related  or  described.  Your  open  works  bear  testimony  to  this, 
still  you  boast  yourselves  to  be  Christians.  O  no!  my  faithful 
reader,  no!  Christ  teaches:  *'My  peace  I  give  you;  my  peace  I 


118  A  CSRISTIAN  AND  AFFECTIONATE 

leave  you."  (John  16.)  Paul  says:  Let  the  peace  of  God  rule 
in  your  hearts,  to  which  also  ye  are  called  in  one  body,  and  be 
ye  thankful.  (Col.  3.)  Again:  The  Son  of  man  has  not  come 
to  destroy,  but  to  make  alive.  (Matt.  18;  Luke  9.) 

Since  there  are  so  many  of  you  who  treat  the  children  of  God 
so  inhumanly,  as  we  see,  we  have  compiled  summarily  our  acts, 
gro^ind,  faith  and  doctrine,  from  the  word  of  God,  and  have 
published  it;  so  that  every  slanderous  re  viler,  foul-mouthed 
speaker  and  bloody  persecutor,  may  out  of  it  learn  what  our 
undertaking,  seeking  and  doings  properly  are,  and  upon  what 
ground  the  city  of  God  must  be  built,  and  which  of  all  the  afore- 
mentioned congregations  or  communities  is  the  lawful  and  true 
church  of  Christ.  Even  as  there  was  but  one  Adam  and  Eve; 
one  Noah  and  one  ark,  (Gen.  3;)  one  Isaac  and  one  Rebecca, 
(Gen.  7,)  so  there  is  but  one  community  of  Christ,  which  is  the 
body,  the  city,  the  temple,  the  house  and  bride  of  Christ,  hav- 
ing but  one  gospel,  one  faith,  one  baptism,  one  supper,  and  one 
service ;  walking  in  the  same  way  and  leading  a  pious,  unblam- 
able life,  as  the  scriptures  teach. 

All  who  have  not  the  pure,  unadulterated  word  of  God,  the 
true,  active  faith,  with  the  Lord's  holy  baptism  and  supper,  in 
power  and  spirit,  and  walk  the  broad  road  of  the  flesh,  are  not 
the  community  and  church  of  Christ.  Here  neither  name  nor 
boasting  prevails;  we  must  be  in  Christ,  and  Christ  in  us;  we 
must  be  moved  by  his  spirit,  and  in  every  respect  abide  in  his 
holy  word,  else  we  have  no  God.  (2  John  1.) 

Israel  was  not  saved,  though  of  the  seed  of  Abraham,  because 
they  walked  not  in  the  way  of  Abraham.  (John  8;  Rom.  9.) 
Much  less  we,  though  we  are  called  after  the  name  of  Christ,  if 
we  seek  not  his  promise  with  all  our  souls,  and  not  cordially 
hear  and  follow,  and  be  obedient  to  his  holy  will.  (1  John  2.) 
Since  it  is  well  known  to  all  the  pious,  that  we  and  our  fore- 
fathers, for  many  hundred  years,  were  under  the  heavy  burden 
and  in  the  service  of  Egypt,  CExod.  10,)  deceived  by  the  false 
prophets,  never  heard  the  book  of  the  law,  the  holy  city,  and 
temple  lay  waste,  and  were  under  the  tyranny  and  dominion  of 
Babylon,  (2  Chron.  22,  25,)  as  heard  above.  The  merciful 
Father  had  compassion  on  the  pressing  misery  and  tribula- 
tion of  his  people,  and  raised  up  to  us  the  true  Moses,  Zerub- 
babel,  Christ  Jesus,  through  his  word  and  spirit;  now  then,  it 
becomes  you,  O  you  high  renowned  lords  and  princes,  since 
you  and  we  boast  of  the  same  Christ,  gospel,  redemption  and 
kingdom,  that  you  no  longer  obstruct  by  your  mandates  and 
powers  the  journeying  of  the  people  of  God  to  the  eternal 
promised  land;  but  you  should  favor  them  more,  and  prosper 
their  journey  by  your  gracious  permission;  that  you  may  hear 
and  read  with  the  venerable  and  pious  Josiah,  with  a  broken, 


EXflORTA'fiON  TO  ALL  IN  AUTHORITY.  119 

meek  heart,  in  the  true  fear  of  God,  the  lost  book  of  the  law 
of  Christ,  which  was  lost  for  a  long  time.  Rend  not  your  gar- 
ments but  your  hearts;  for  you  are  not  only  led  off  from  the 
true  path,  but  you  are  so  much  bewitched  by  the  man  of  sin, 
(2  Thess.  2,)  that  you  persecute  the  innocent,  pious  hearts, 
who  injure  neither  you  nor  any  one  upon  earth  even  the  beast. 

That  you  would,  with  king  Cyrus,  release  the  poor  captive 
children  from  the  land  of  Chaldea,  who  cry  and  weep  at  the 
rivers  of  Babylon,  (Ps.  136,)  that  they  again  possess  the  spirit- 
ual land  of  Canaan,  and  build  up  the  spiritual  Jerusalem,  the 
altar  and  the  temple  in  their  ancient  city,  (Jer.  30,)  and  es- 
tablish the  spiritual  priesthood,  and  practice  the  spiritual  offer- 
ing and  divine  service  according  to  the  instructions  of  God's 
word,  that  they  may  no  longer  hear  and  observe  the  Babylonian 
laws,  namely,  men's  commandments ;  but  Israel's  law,  God's 
word  and  righteousness.  Although  some  of  you,  (alas  how 
few  !)  are  so  far  taught,  through  God's  grace  and  word,  as  I 
trust,  that  you  know  that  neither  usages  nor  councils,  neither 
learning  nor  acuteness,  nor  subtlety,  nor  sword,  nor  mandate, 
can  bend  or  break  the  word  of  the  Most  High,  the  word  of 
truth,  the  word  of  the  heavenly  witness,  the  gospel  of  the  king- 
dom, for  other  foundation  cannot  be  laid  to  all  eternity,  than 
that  which  is  laid,  which  is  Christ  Jesus.  (1  Cor.  3. ) 

Therefore,  wisdom  cries  :  Turn  at  my  reproof ;  behold  I  will 
pour  out  my  spirit  upon  you,  I  will  make  known  my  words 
unto  you.  (Prov.  1.) 

Love;  righteousness,  ye  rulers  of  the  land.  (Wis.  1.) 

Be  wise,  now,  therefore,  O  ye  kings;  be  instructed,  ye  judges 
of  the  earth,  serve  the  Lord  with  fear,  and  rejoice  with  trem- 
bling, (Ps.  2;)  for  the  king  that  honors  wisdom  shall  rule  for- 
ever. (Wis.  6.) 

Do,  therefore,  with  a  meek  heart,  and  in  the  fear  of  God, 
examine  these  our  faithful  instructions,  and  judge  by  Christ's 
own  spirit  and  word,  as  much  as  in  you  is;  compare  it  with  the 
doctrine  and  lives  of  the  apostles,  with  the  piety,  love,  usages, 
doings,  misery,  cross  and  sufferings  of  the  primitive  church.  I 
hope,  by  the  grace  of  God,  you  may  plainly  comprehend  that 
our  doctrine  is  the  infallible  doctrine  and  ground  of  the  scrip- 
tures. Read  these  our  fundamentals,  together  .with  other 
books,  appended  to  this,  viz:  tJie  hook  concerning  faith  and  its 
power;  concerning  regeneration  or  the  new  creature;  of  the  cross, 
sufferings  a7id  persecution  of  the  saints;  of  excommunication, 
ban  or  exclusion,  with  other  tracts,  published  from  time  to  time; 
you  will  then  find,  by  the  grace  of  God,  that  this  doctine  is  the 
unadulterated  gospel,  which  the  Lord  taught  by  his  own 
mouth  and  which  his  holy  apostles  preached  through  the  whole 
world,  and  by  the  power  of  the  spirit  testified  thereto  with  life 


120  A  CHRISTIAN  AND  AFFECTIONATE 

and  death.  Ours  is  no  new  doctrine,  as  the  preachers  without 
truth  pretend  and  persuade  you  ;  but  it  is  the  old  doctrine, 
which  was  preached  and  practiced  in  the  church  fifteen  hun- 
dred years  ago,  whereby  the  church  was,  is,  and  shall  be  borne, 
till  the  end.    (1  Cor.  4  ;  Gal.  4;  1  Pet.  1;  James  1.) 

O  you  high-renowned  lords  and  princes,  turn  to  the  truth  of 
God,  and  receive  reproof,  correction  and  wisdom  ;  for  through 
wisdom  kings  reign,  and  princes  decree  justice,  (Prov.  8,j  and 
do  observe  how  far  your  spirit,  faith  and  lives  differ  from  the 
Lord's  spirit,  word  and  life. 

Think  you,  dear  sirs,  that  you  are  born  to  live  only  in  great 
splendor,  wantonness,  gluttony  and  revelling,  and  lead  a  vain, 
sensual  life  ;  that  you  are  to  follow  on  in  your  wantonness  and 
pernicious  lusts,  as  it  pleases  you,  and  be  Christians?  O  no, 
whosoever  has  not  the  spirit  of  Christ  is  none  of  his.     (Rom.  8. ) 

Solomon  says  :  As  a  roaring  lion,  and  a  raging  bear  ;  so  is 
a  wicked  ruler  over  the  poor  people.  The  prince  that  wanteth 
understanding  is  also  a  great  oppressor.  The  poet  also  well 
knew  this,  when  he  says  :  Quic  quid  deUrant  reges,  plectantur 
AcMvi :  i.  e..  The  mischief  which  kings  do,  the  common  peo- 
ple have  to  pay  or  atone  for ;  but  a  wise  king  disperseth  the 
ungodly.     (Prov.  28.) 

Therefore,  beloved  sirs,  see  well  to  it ;  this  is  that  to  which 
you  are  called,  namely  :  that  you  are  to  chastise  and  punish,  in 
the  true  fear  of  God,  with  all  equitable  and  just  discretion,  the 
open  evil  doers  ;  such  as  thieves,  murderers,  buggerers,  sodom- 
ites, adulterers,  debauchers,  menslayers,  the  violent,  fornica- 
tors, sorcerers,  robbers,  &c.,  that  you  give  each  his  portion, 
execute  judgment  and  righteousness,  and  deliver  the  spoiled 
out  of  the  hand  |of  the  foppressor,  (Isa.  22 ;)  that  you  are  to 
prevent,  by  proper  means,  understand  without  tyraimy  and 
bloodshed,  open  deceivers,  who  so  miserably  lead  poor,  helpless 
souls,  by  hundreds  of  thousands  into  destruction,  be  they 
priests,  monks,  preachers,  baptized  or  unbaptized  ;  so  that 
they  will  no  longer  derogate  from  the  the  almighty  majesty  of 
God,  our  only  and  eternal  Saviour,  Christ  Jesus,  the  Holy 
Ghost,  together  with  the  word  of  grace  ;  nor  introduce  those 
ridiculous  abuses  and  idolatry,  under  semblance  of  truth,  as  it 
happens  from  time  to  time,  till  now  ;  and  thus  you  may,  with  all 
love  and  zeal,  enlarge  the  borders  of  the  kingdom  of  God  without 
violence,  blood  or  sword;  assist  it  by  your  gracious  permission, 
wise  counsel ;  and  with  a  pious,  unblamable  life  defend  it. 

Behold,-  beloved  lords,  this  is  your  calling  and  your  incumbent 
duty,  (Exod.  18,  23  ;  Lev.  19  ;  Deut.  17;  2  Chron.  19  ;  Rom. 
13  ;  Tit.  13 ;  1  Pet.  2  ;)  and  not  domineer  so  maliciously  over 
God's  children  and  his  word  :  as,  alas!  many  of  you  evidently 
do,  and  is  customary. 


EXHORTATION  TO  ALL  IN  AUTHORITY.  l21 

Such  rulers  were  Moses,  Joshua,  David,  Hezekiah,  Joshaphat, 
Josias,  Zerubbabel,  &c. ;  they  faithfully  discharged  their  en- 
joined duties  ;  conformed  to  the  word  of  God,  protected  their 
subjects  with  solicitous  concern,  obeyed  the  Lord's  commands, 
abolished  the  false  prophets  and  priests  of  Baal,  with  their 
altars,  groves  and  idolatry,  and  faithfully  kept  their  people  and 
country  to  observe  the  ordinances  of  the  Lord,  his  laws  and 
divine  semce,  as  commanded  by  Moses  ;  for  they  feared  God 
and  had  the  book  of  the  law  to  which  they  conformed,  and  by 
which  they  judged  the  people  :  and  always  remembered  the 
Lord  their  God,  who  set  them  over  his  people  as  potentate  and 
rulers.     (Dent.  17.) 

They  feared  God  with  all  their  hearts,  praised  his  name,  and 
humbled  themselves  with  all  their  strength,  as  David  did,  when 
he  was  girded  with  a  linen  ephod,  and  danced  before  the  ark  of 
the  Lord,  yea  that  he  was  even  despised  of  his  wife  Michal;  but 
he  said  :  I  will  play  before  the  Lord  who  chose  me,  and  I  will 
be  yet  more  vile  than  this  in  my  own  sight.     (2  Sam.  6, ) 

O  you  high -renowned,  noble  lords,  do  believe  Christ's  word, 
fear  God's  wrath,  love  righteousness,  do  justice  to  widows  and 
orphans,  judge  rightly  between  man  and  man,  fear  no  man's 
highness  ;  despise  no  man's  business,  hate  all  avarice,  chastise 
with  discretion,  suffer  God's  word  to  be  taught  in  liberty,  pre- 
^  vent  none  to  walk  in  the  ways  of  truth  ;  yield  to  his  sceptre 
who  called  you  to  this  high  charge,  and  your  throne  shall  stand 
fast.     (Prov.  19  ;  Wis.  6.) 

Now  as  the  sceptre  of  Christ  is  an  upright  sceptre,  (Heb.  1, ) 
and  teaches,  judges  and  corrects  every  one,  without  respect  to 
person,  I,  a  poor  and  unlearned  being,  must  lay  aside  my  diffi- 
dence, and  grow  bold  in  love,  whereby  I  would  desire  to  save 
your  poor  souls,  and  with  Samuel  reprove  Saul,  with  Abdia 
reprimand  Jeroboam,  with  Elias  chide  Ahab,  with  Isaiah  repre- 
hend Hezekiah,  with  Nathan  and  Gad  rebuke  David  of  their 
misdeeds  and  transgressions,  (4  Sam.  15  ;  1  Kings  13,  17,  18  ; 
Isa.  38;  3  Sam.  12,  24,)  and  thus  proclaim  my  Lord's  spirit, 
word  and  will,  who  knows  but  there  might  be  some  one  that 
will  regard  the  fidelity  and  love  of  his  poor  minister, 
hear  his  well-meaning  voice  and  Christian  exhortation,  and  de- 
part from  an  ungodly  and  evil  way  :  thus  some  of  the  afore- 
mentioned kings  heard  the  reproving  word  of  the  mouths  of 
the  prophets  with  fear,  and  reformed,  and  meekly  received  the 
word. 

And  were  it  even  so,  that  my  faithful  service  and  love  should 
be  rewarded  with  death,  as  I  have  reason  to  suspect  it  may 
happen,  because  haughty  and  proud  flesh  is  unwillingly  re- 
proved, but  uses  at  all  times  its  evil  nature;  however,  nothing 
worse  can  happen  mej  than  did  the  pious  Isaiah  of  Manassah ; 


122  A  CHRISTIAN  AND  AFFECTIONATE  ; 

Zacliariah  of  Joaz ;  Urias  of  Jacliin,  Abimelech  and  other 
priests  of  Saul ;  CClirou.  24 ;  1  Samuel  22)  John  of  Herod  ; 
Christ  of  Pilate  and  of  the  Scribes  ;  and  as  it  happened  to  all 
the  apostles  and  pious  witnesses  of  the  whole  world.  (Matt. 
7,  24,  26  ;  Mark  15  ;  Luke  23  ;  John  10.) 

I  do  not  esteem  my  life  to  be  better  and  dearer  than  the  be- 
loved men  of  God  did  theirs.  I  can  only  be  deprived  of  perish- 
able and  mortal  flesh,  ^which  must  once  die  and  return  to  dust. 
Should  I  even  attain  to  the  age  of  Methuselah,  not  a  hair  can 
fall  from  my  head  without  the  will  of  my  heavenly  father,  (Gen. 
5,  3  ;  Matt.  10;)  if  I  lose  my  life  for  the  sake  of  Christ  and  his 
testimony,  and  on  account  my  sincere  love  for  my  neighbor,  I 
certainly  know  that  I  will  savje  it  in  life  eternal,  (Mark  8; 
Matt.  16;  therefore,  I  cannot  conceal  the  truth  ;  but  I  must 
testify  and  reveal  it  in  the  true  fear  of  God;  to  my  beloved  lords. 

Beloved,  noble  lords,  do  learn  to  rightly  know  yourselves, 
whence  you  are,  what  you  are,  and  what  you  will  be.  All  of 
you,  one  as  well  as  another,  be  he  emperor  or  king,  are  from 
the  same  seed  that  we  poor  and  unregarded  are,  and  you  came 
into  this  world  as  we,  and  you  are  no  more  than  vapor,  frail 
flesh,  a  withering  flower,  dust  and  ashes,  as  we  all  are.  (James 
4;  Isa.  4;  2  Pet.  I;  Gen.  3;  Sirach  10.)  To-day  you  are  kings 
and  triumph  in  great  and  high  houses;  to-morrow  you  are  laid 
low,  and  must  be  food  for  serpents  and  worms. 

O,  sirs,  my  beloved  sirs,  humble  yourselves;  righteous  is  he 
who  will  examine  your  case,  and  mighty  is  he  who  will  pass 
judgment  upon  you;  his  name  is  the  Ruling  Lord;  he  is  the 
almighty,  the  holy,  the  terrible,  the  high,  [adorable  and  omni- 
potent God,  who  created  heaven  and  earth,  and  who  has  in 
the  hands  of  his  strength  all  majesty,  power  and  dominion. 
Learn  to  know  him;  learn  to  fear  him.  Awaken,  look  out, 
the  time  i§  not  far  off  when  you  will  hear:  Qive  an  account 
of  your  stewardship.,  for  you  may  no  longer  he  steward.  (Luke 
16.) 

Do,  therefore,  not  hear  those  who  seek  fat  prebends  and  a 
lazy  life;  they  deceive  you,  they  teach  you  according  to  the  lust 
of  your  hearts;  they  flatter  you  for  the  sake  of  unlawful  gain; 
they  preach  to  you  wanton  deception  according  to  their  own 
opinion,  and  not  out  of  the  mouth  of  the  Lord;  they  fatten  their 
bodies,  and  have  fine  days  from  the  fatness  of  your  poor  souls, 
(beloved  sirs,  understand  rightly  what  I  mean,)  although  they 
boast  much  of  the  gospel;  hear  them  who  are  not  like  the 
wind-shaken  reed,  (Matt.  11,)  those  who,  with  John  and  Elias, 
are  not  so  much  frightened  by  the  wilderness  of  misery,  who 
sufler  daily  for  the  truth's  sake,  love  gold  and  wood  alike,  who 
esteem  all  things  alike,  both  praise  and  reproach,  riches  and 
poverty,  life  and  death,  who  seek  only  the  honor  of  Christ,  and 


EXHORTATION  TO  ALL  IN  ATTTHORITY.  133 

the  salvation  of  their  beloved  brethren,  (Rom.  5;  1  Cor.  15,) 
and  preach  nothing  but  the  pure  unmixed  word  of  God,  and 
seal  it,  with  spirit,  power  and  work,  as  it  is  commanded  of 
Christ,  and  as  it  is  proclaimed  and  taught  through  the  whole 
world  by  his  holy  apostles. 

I  repeat  it,  hearken  not,  follow  not,  and  believe  not  the  mul- 
titude of  the  learned,  who  suffer  themselves  to  be  called  doctors, 
lords  and  masters,  for  they  are  sensual  and  bloodthirsty,  (Phil. 
3;  1  Cor.  4;)  but  seek  and  follow  those  who  are  the  spectacle, 
filth  of  the  earth,  curse  and  oflfscouring;  there  you  will  find 
Christ's  spirit,  truth,  power,  works  and  life.  And  you  will 
soon  find,  by  the  grace  of  God,  that  you  are  .from  Christ,  with 
your  doctrine,  spirit,  faith,  baptism,  life,  church  and  all  your 
doing,  from  Christ's  spirit,  doctrine,  command,  prohibition, 
ordinances  and  usages. 

Say,  O  you  kings  and  rulers  of  the  land,  where  is  your  faith 
and  love,  with  their  pious  nature  ?  Where  is  the  fear  of  your 
God  ?  Your  lamp  and  light  ?  And  your  unblamable,  godly 
life,  which  is  out  of  God  ?  •  Is  it  not  all  world  and  sensuality 
which  you  seek  and  follow  ?  We  find,  generally,  in  your  houses 
and  courts  nothing  but  extravagant  pomp,  and  gorgeousness, 
pride,  presumptuousness  of  heart,  insatiable  avarice,  hatred, 
envy,  backbiting,  betraying,  whoredom,  debaucheiy,  gaming, 
eating,  drinking,  dancing,  swearing,  stabbing,  housebreaking, 
&c.  This  is  your  lordly  custom  and  court  conduct  during  the 
whole  course  of  your  lives;  and  you  never  once  reflect  on  the 
misery,  tribulation,  humility,  love  and  righteousness  in  which 
the  Lord  of  lords  and  King  of  kings  lived  before  you,  what 
he  taught  the  children  of  men,  and  what  pattern  or  example 
he  left  them:  the  affliction  and  misery  of  the  wretched  reach 
not  your  ears;  the  sweat  of  the  poor  we  find  in  your  houses,  and 
the  innocent  blood  in  your  hands;  you  receive  gifts  and  presents 
to  pervert  judgment,  and  you  take  counsel  together  against  the 
Lord  and  his  anointed.  (Ps.  2.)  The  prophets  of  Jezebel  and 
the  priests  of  Baal,  sensualists  and  flatterers,  are  much  respect- 
ed with  you;  they  sit  upon  soft  cushions  and  live  well.  But 
those  who  with  Micah,  (1  Chron.  18,)  preach  to  you  adversity 
and  truth,  must  expect  imprisonment  and  bonds,  and  death, 
and  are  deserving  of  all  disgrace;  yea,  it  has  come  so  far  (God 
better  it,)  that  where  four  or  five,  ten  or  twenty,  have  met  in 
the  name  of  the  Lord,  to  speak  of  the  word  of  the  Lord,  and  to 
do  his  work,  in  wKose  midst  Christ  is,  (Matt.  18,)  who  fear  the 
Lord  with  all  their  heart,  and  lead  an  unblamable  life  before 
all  the  world;  but  if  they  be  apprehended,  and  complaint 
brought  against  them,  they  must  then  be  devoured  of  fire,  or 
be  destroyed  by  the  sword,  or  sink  into  the  depths  of  the 
waters. 


l24  A  CHRISTIAN  AND    AFFECTIONATE 

But  tliey  who  have  met  in  the  name  of  Baal,  a  meeting  of 
all  manner  of  mischief,  who  exceed  Sodom  and  Gomorrah  far 
in  wickedness,  where  all  manner  of  inhuman  things  are  carried 
on  between  man  and  man,  and  between  woman  and  woman,  as 
it  is  in  Spain,  in  Italy,  and  in  the  cloisters,  &c. — public  brothel- 
houses,  theatres,  fencing-schools,  and  the  accursed  drunken 
taverns,  where  many  live  in  open  disgrace,  and  act  so  shame- 
fully against  God's  word — such  live  in  all  unmolestedness  and 
at  peace. 

I  mention  not  the  public  assemblies  of  all  manner  of  idolatry, 
where  the  most  high,  blessed  and  precious  name  of  God  is  so 
miserably  blasphemed,  the  blood  of  Christ  despised,  the  Holy 
Ghost  grieved,  and  the  truth  disgraced,  and  lies  commended, 
poor  souls  deceived,  and  the  blind,  ignorant  people  are  not  only 
directed  to  the  holy  water,  bread,  v>ine  and  the  mass,  but  also 
to  the  dumb  idols,  of  wood  and  stone,  as  alas  !  it  may  be  so 
extensively  witnessed. 

O,  my  beloved  lords,  what  are  you  doing?  Where  is  the 
sword  of  righteousness  which  was  given  to  you,  of  which  you 
boast?  You  have  to  acknowledge  that  you  leave  it  in  the 
scabbard,  and  in  its  stead  you  have  drawn  the  sword  of  un- 
righteousness. Yes,  beloved  sirs,  things  are  so,  (God  better 
it,)  that  the  prophets  cry  and  call  with  propriety  :  Thy  princes 
are  rebellious  and  companions  of  thieves ;  every  one  loveth 
gifts  and  followeth  after  rewards  :  they  judge  not  the  father- 
less, neither  does  the  cause  of  the  widow  come  unto  them ; 
therefore  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts,  the  mighty  one  of  Israel, 
Ah  !  I  will  ease  me  of  mine  adversaries,  and  avenge  me  of 
mine  enemies.     (Isa.  1.) 

Behold  the  princes  of  Israel,  every  one  is  wise  in  thee  to 
their  power  to  shed  blood.  In  thee  have  they  set  light  by 
father  and  mother,  in  the  midst  of  thee  they  have  dealt  by  op-" 
pression  with  the  stranger  ;  in  thee  they  have  vexed  the  father- 
less and  widow  ;  they  are  like  the  devouring  wolves  to  shed 
blood  and  destroy  souls  for  their  avarice  sake  ;  behold,  there- 
fore, says  the  Lord,  I  have  smitten  my  hand  at  thy  dishonest 
gain  which  thou  hast  made,  and  at  thy  blood  which  hath  been 
shed  in  the  midst  of  thee.     (Ezek.  22.) 

Woe  to  them  that  devise  iniquity  and  work  evil  upon  their 
beds  !  when  the  morning  is  light  they  practice  it,  because  it  is 
in  the  power  of  their  hand.  And  they  covet  fields,  and  take 
them  by  violence  ;  and  houses,  and  take  thein  away :  so  they 
oppress  a  man  and  his  house,  even  a  man  and  his  heritage. 
Therefore,  thus  saith  the  Lord :  Behold,  against  this  family  do 
I  devise  an  evil,  from  which  ye  shall  not  remove  your  necks  ; 
neither  shall  ye  go  haughtily  ;  for  this  time  is  evil.     (Micah  2. ) 

Hear,  O  heads  of  Jacob,  and  ye  princes  of  the  house  of  Israel; 


EXflOKTATION  TO   ALL  IN   AUTHORITY.         •         125 

is  it  not  for  you  to  know  judgment  wlio  hate  the  good  and  love 
the  evil  ?  You  pluck  off  their  skin  from  off  them,  and  their 
flesh  from  off  their  bones  ;  who  also  eat  the  flesh  of  my  peo- 
ple and  flay  their  skins  from  off  them,  and  you  break  their 
bones  and  chop  them  in  pieces  as  for  the  pot  and  as  flesh 
within  the  caldron.  Therefore,  when  you  shall  call  unto  the 
Lord  he  will  not  hear,  he  will  even  hide  his  face  at  that  time, 
as  you  have  behaved  yourselves  ill.     (Micah  8.) 

Wo  to  her  that  is  filthy  and  polluted  to  the  oppressing  city  ! 
she  obeyed  not  the  voice  ;  she  received  not  correction ;  she 
trusted  not  in  the  Lord  ;  she  drew  not  near  to  God.  Her 
princes  Avithin  her  are  roaring  lions  ;  her  judges  are  evening 
wolves;  they  gnaw  not  the  bones  till  the  morrow;  her  prophets 
are  light  and  treacherous  persons  ;  her  priests  have  polluted  the 
sanctuary;  they  have  done  violence  to  the  law;  the  just  Lord  is 
in  the  midst  thereof,  he  will  do  no  iniquity :  every  morning 
doth  he  bring  his  judgment  to  light,  he  faileth  not ;  but  the 
unjust  knoAveth  no  shame.  I  have  cut  oft'  the  nations  ;  their 
towers  are  desolate  :  I  laid  their  streets  to  waste  that  none 
passeth  by.     (Zepli.  3  ;  Hos.  3.) 

There  are  but  few  of  you,  I  fear  there  is  scarcely  one,  who 
seeks  the  Lord  with  all  their  heart  fears,  loves,  and  serves  him; 
"therefore,  will  also  the  fury  of  God  be  poured  out  upon  you  like 
water,  and  the  sword  of  his  wrath  will  come  upon  you,  as  may 
be  seen  daily  in  many  places  ;  God  better  it. 

To  you,  says  the  wise  man,  power  is  given  of  the  Lord,  and 
sovereignty  from  the  Highest,  who  shall  try  your  works  and 
search  out  your  counsel :  because,  being  ministers  of  his 
kingdom,  ye  have  not  judged  aright  nor  kept  the  law,  nor 
walked  after  the  counsel  of  God  ;  horribly  and  speedily  shall 
he  come  upon  you  ;  for  a  sharp  judgment  shall  be  to  them  that 
are  in  high  places.  For  mercy  will  soon  pardon  the  meanest : 
but  mighty  men  shall  be  mightily  tormented.  For  he  who  is 
Lord  over  all  shall  fear  no  man's  person,  neither  shall  he  stand 
in  awe  of  any  man's  greatness  ;  for  he  hath  made  the  small  and 
great  and  careth  for  all  alike.  But  a  sore  trial  shall  come 
upon  the  mighty.     (Wis.  G.) 

Therefore,  beloved  lords,  take  heed  that  you  rightly  execute 
your  responsible  and  dangerous  office  according  to  the  will  of 
God  ;  since,  many  of  you,  I  fear,  until  now,  alas  !  thought 
very  little  on  it,  and  hence  it  is  that  Antichrist  rises  up  Avith 
his  wickedness,  and  Christ  is  rejected  with  his  righteousness  ; 
lay  to  heart  what  is  written  :  Keep  thee  far  from  a  false  mat- 
ter ;  and  the  innocent  and  righteous  slay  thou  not ;  for  I  will 
not  justify  the  wicked,  saysUie  Lord.     (Exod.  22.) 

Here  I  well  know  that  we  have  to  hear  of  Munster,  of  kings, 
of  dominions,  of  polygamy,  of  sword,  of  theft,  of  murder  and 


126        •  A  CHRISTIAN  AND  AFFECTIONATE 

the  like  abominations  and  disgrace,  wliicli,  yoii  always  assert, 
result  from  baptism  ;  and  under  this  pretext  you  reprove  every 
thing  the  mouth  of  the  Lord  commanded,  and  what  the  holy 
apostles  taught  and  practiced,  and  instead  thereof  you  bring 
forth  seditious  sects  and  factions,  who  sanction  the  call  of  the 
learned  and  blood-shedding. 

No,  my  beloved  sirs,  it  will  not  acquit  you  in  the  day  of  the 
righteousness  of  God.  I  tell  you  the  truth  in  Christ ;  notice  the 
rightly  baptized  disciples  of  Christ,  CLuke  22,)  who  are  baptized 
inwardly  with  spirit  and  fire,  and  externally  with  water,  (Matt. 
10)  baptized  according  to  the  word  of  God ;  they  know  of  no 
weapons  other  than  patience,  hope,  quiet,  (Isa.  30,)  and  God's 
word;  these,  says  Paul,  are  the  weapons  of  our  warfare,  and  are 
not  carnal  but  mighty  through  God  to  the  pulling  down  of  strong 
holds;  casting  down  imaginations  and  every  high  thing  that 
exalteth  itself  against  the  knowledge  of  God,  and  bringeth  into 
captivity  every  thought  to  the  obedience  of  Christ.  (2  Cor.  10.) 
Our  weapons  are  not  weapons  with  which  cities  and  countries 
are  desolated,  walls  and  gates  broken  down  and  human  blood 
shed  in  torrents  like  water,  but  they  are  weapons  with  which 
the  spiritual  kingdom  of  the  devil  is  destroyed,  and  the  ungod- 
ly passions  are  annihilated,  and  the  flinty  hearts  are  broken, 
that  have  never  been  sprinkled  with  the  heavenly  dew  of  the 
holy  word,  we  own  no  other  weapons  besides,  the  Lord  knows 
it,  and  should  we  be  torn  into  a  thousand  pieces,  and  although 
as  many  false  witnesses  were  to  rise  up  against  us  as  there  are 
spears  of  grass  in  the  fields  and  as  numerous  as  the  grains  of 
sand  of  the  sea  shore. 

Once  more :  Christ  is  our  fortress  ;  patience  our  defence  ;  the 
word  of  God  our  sword  ;  and  our  victory  is  a  candid,  firm  un- 
feigned faith  in  Jesus  Christ.  We  let  those  take  spears  and 
swords,  who,  alas,  regard  human  blood  and  swine's  blood  alike. 
He  that  is  wise  let  him  judge  what  I  mean.  (Luke  11  ;  Heb. 
4  ;  Eph.  G  ;  1  John  5.) 

We  do  acknowledge,  beloved  sirs,  that  some  of  the  false 
prophets  were  baptized  externally  in  appearance,  with  us,  with 
the  same  baptism  ;  even  as  thieves,  murderers,  highway  rob- 
bers, sorcerers  and  the  like,  were  baptized  with  you  ;  but  they 
were  not  of  us  ;  for  had  they  been  of  us,  as  John  says,  they 
would  no  doubt  have  continued  with  us. 

Christ  says  :  False  prophets  and  false  Christs  will  arise  and 
do  great  signs  and  wonders,  and  if  it  Avere  possible  would  de- 
ceive the  very  elect.  Behold,  1  have  told  you  before.  (Matt.  24.) 

This  warning  of  Christ  was  not  given  to  the  ungodly,  obdu- 
rate despisers,  for  they  are  already  entangled  in  the  snares  of 
unrighteousness,  but  is  given  to  the  contrite  of  heart  and  to 
the  willing  souls,  so  that  they  might  learn  to  know  the  spir- 


EXHORTATION  TO  ALL  IN  AUTHORITY.         127 

itiial,  and  suffer  themselves  not  to  be  led  into  error  ;  for  the 
devil,  says  Peter,  goes  about  seeking  the  righteous,  as  a  roar- 
ing lion  seeking  whom  he  may  devour.     (1  Pet.  5. ) 

The  craftiness  and  artifice  of  the  devil,  who  assumes  the  ap- 
pearance of  an  angel  of  light,  are  not  known  by  some,  there- 
fore have  so  many  stumbled  and  erred,  and  were,  alas,  led  into 
crooked  paths  by  the  deceivers,  (Kev.  2  ;  2  Cor.  11:)  but  this 
was  not  through  baptism  ;  for  the  elementary  water  can  neither 
teach,  nor  pervert,  but  it  was  done  through  false  prophets,  of 
which,  I  say,  we  have  been  so  faithfully  warned  by  the  Lord's 
own  mouth. 

Beloved  sirs,  fear  God,  judge  rightly  ;  the  truth  of  God  can 
never  be  changed  into  seduction  and  error,  through  the  lies  of 
the  devil ;  but  the  word  of  our  God  shall  stand  forever.  (Isa. 
40;  1  Pet.  1.) 

Should  the  devout  angels  be  unjustly  judged  for  the  sake  of 
Lucifer's  arrogance  and  be  punished  with  his  punishment :  or 
should  all  the  apostles  be  traitors  for  Judas'  sake  ?  By  no 
means.  Every  one  shall  bear  his  own  burden.  The  son  shall 
not  bear  the  iniquity  of  the  father,  neither  shall  the  father  bear 
the  iniquity  of  the  son.  The  soul  that  sinneth  it  shall  die  ^ 
(Ezek.  18.) 

Should  we  reproach  the  doctrine  of  Christ  and  his  apostles, 
because  the  father  of  lies  has  resuscitated,  in  the  name  of  Christ, 
the  practice  of  circumcision  as  essential  to  salvation.  That  the 
dead  will  not  rise  in  the  day  of  judgment  ?     (1  Cor.  16.) 

That  Philetus  and  Hymenius  asserted  that  the  lesurrection 
of  the  dead  has  already  taken  place  ?  (2  Tim.  2.^  That  some 
pretended  that  the  great  day  of  the  Lord  was  at  hand  ?  (2 
Thes.  2.) 

How  could  the  apostle  help  it  that  the  Nicolatians  had  their 
wives  common,  as  Eusebius  relates  ? 

That  the  Ebionites  denied  the  deity  of  Christ,  and  taught 
that  Christ  began  only  to  exist  in  Mary. 

And  that  the  Corinthians  maintained  that  the  world  was 
created  by  angels  ;  that  Christ  was  no  more  than  a  mere  man, 
and  had  not  yet  risen,  but  is  to  rise  with  us  in  future,  and  that 
he  would  reign  one  thousand  years  in  the  flesh  with  his  saints  ? 

All  these  sects  arose  in  the  days  of  the  apostles,  nevertheless 
the  gospel  of  Christ  remained  the  true  gospel,  the  doctrines  of 
the  apostles  the  true  doctrine. 

The  scriptures  say  that  we  are  to  flee  and  avoid  such  leaders 
of  sects  and  heretics  ;  and  we  hope  to  obey  willingly  the  in- 
I'unction  all  the  days  of  our  lives.  (Rom.  16  ;  2  Tim.  2  ;  Tit. 
*8  ;  2  John  1.) 

Therefore,  my  beloved  sirs,  do  pass  an  impartial  and  rational 
judgment  in  this  matter,  as  before  God,  who  will  judge  you  in 


128  A  CHKISTIAN   AND  AFFECTIONATE 

the  great  clay  ;  this  we  ask  of  you  for  Jesus'  sake  ;  for  we  seek 
nothing  else  upon  earth,  (the  Lord  knows, )  than  the  true . 
ground  of  the  truth,  the  praise  of  Christ,  the  obedience  of  his 
word,  and  that  with  a  good  conscience,  as  we  testify  to  the 
whole  world,  with  our  writings,  word,  possessions,  blood,  life 
and  death. 

We  also  write  the  truth  in  Christ  and  lie  not,  that  we  ac- 
knowledge spiritually  no  king,  neither  in  heaven  above  nor 
upon  earth  beneath,  than  the  only,  eternal  and  true  king,  the 
spiritual  David,  Christ  Jesus,  who  is  Lord  of  lords,  King  of 
kings.  (Ps.  2,  47  ;  Isa.  33  ;  Jer.  53  ;  ^ach.  9  ;  Matt.  21  ;  John 
12  ;  1  Cor.  2  ;  Heb.  7  ;  Rev.  17,  19.) 

And  if  there  is  one  who  w^ill  declare  himself  king  in  the 
kingdom  and  dominion  of  Christ,  as  did  John  von  Ley  den,  of 
Munster,  he  shall  not  go  unpunished  with  Adonai,  (1  King  1,) 
for  the  true  Solomon,  Christ  Jesus  himself,  must  possess  the 
kingdom  and  sit  eternally  upon  the  throne  of  David.  (1  Sam. 
7;  1  Kings  8;  Ps.  89;  Isa.  9;  Luke  1.) 

But,  according  to  the  flesh,  we  teach  and  exhort  to  be  obe- 
dient to  the  emperor,  king,  lords  and  princes,  yea,  to  all  in 
power,  in  all  their  transactions  and  civil  regulations,  so  far  as 
they  are  not  contrary  to  the  word  of  God.  (Matt.  17,  22;  Rom. 
13;  1  Tijn.  2;  Tit.  3;  1  Pet.  2.) 

We  teach  and  confess  that  we  know  of  no  sword,  nor  com- 
motion in  Christ's  kingdom  or  church,  other  than  the  sharp 
sword  of  the  Spirit,  God's  word  (as  is  abundantly  shown  in  our 
writings, )  which  is  sharper  and  more  piercing  than  any  two- 
edged  sword,  and  it  proceeds  from  the  mouth  of  the  Lord, 
(Rev.  1,  2,  19,)  whereby  we  make  the  father  mutinous  against 
the  son,  and  the  son  against  the  father,  the  mother  against  the 
daughter,  and  the  daughter  against  the  mother,  and  daughter- 
in-law  against  the  mother-in-law.  (Matt.  10.)  But  the  sword 
of  worldly  policy  we  leave  to  those  to  whom  it  is  committed. 
(Rom.  13;  1  Pet.  3.)  Let  every  one  be  careful  and  not  take 
the  sword,  lest  he  shall  perish  with  the  sword.  (Gen.  9  ; 
Matt.  26.) 

We  acknowledge,  teach,  and  approve  of  no  other  matrimony 
than  that  one  which  Christ  and  his  apostles  publicly  and  plainly 
taught  in  the  New  Testament,  namely,  one  man  and  one  woman, 
(Matt.  19;  Mark  10;  Eph.  5,)  and  that  they  may  not  be  divorced 
except  in  case  of  adultery,  (Matt.  5;  Mark  10,)  for  the  two  are 
one  flesh,  (Gen.  2;  Mark  19;  Matt.  10;  Eph.  5;)  and  if  the 
unbelieving  depart,  a  sister  or  brother  is  not  under  bondage  in 
that  case.  (\  Cor.  7.) 

We  acknowledge,  teach  and  seek  no  kingdom  other  than 
the  kingdom  of  Christ,  which  shall  be  and  is  for  ever,  in  which 
there  are  no  pomp,  splendor,  gold,  silver,  meat  and  drink,  but 


EXHORTATION   TO  ALL  IN  AUTHORITY.  129 

righteousness,  peace  and  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost;  (Rom.  14;) 
for  we  confess  with  Christ  that  our  kingdom  is  not  of  this 
world;  we  brought  nothing  into  this  world,  therefore,  it  is  evi- 
dent we  can  not  take  any  thing  out  of  it,  as  the  scriptures  say, 
(James  1;1  Tim.  6.) 

We  know  of  no  murdering,  much  less  do  we  teach  or  permit 
it;  for  we  truly  believe  that  a  murderer  has  neither  lot  nor  part 
in  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  (Rom.  1;  Gal.  5;  John  3;  Rev.  21, 
22.)  O,  beloved  sirs,  how  should  we  .desire  the  blood  of  any 
man,  since  we  have  to  die  daily  for  man's  sake  ?  And  the  Lord 
who  created  us  knows  that  we  seeic  nothing,  but  that  we  might 
instruct,  and  be  a  pattern  to  all  the  world,  with  our  doctrine, 
life,  blood  and  death,  that  they  might  reflect,  observe,  awaken, 
repent  and  be  saved,  for  this  is  the  natui-e  of  pure  love,  to  pray 
for  persecutors,  to  render  good  for  evil,  to  love  the  enemy,  to 
heap  coals  of  fire  upon  the  head;  and  let  him  avenge  who 
judges  rightly.  (Deut.  32;  Prov.  25;  Heb.  10;  Rom.  12;  Matt. 
5;  1  Cor.  13.) 

We  know  of  no  theft,  much  less  do  we  teach  or  permit  it,  but 
we  are  ready  before  God  and  man,  with  all  our  hearts,  to  com- 
municate our  own  possessions  and  all  we  have,  however  little 
it  may  be,  and  in  addition  thereto  our  sweat  and  labor,  to  meet 
the  necessities  of  the  poor,  as  the  Lord's  spirit  and  word  and 
true  brotherly  love  teach  us,  (Deut.  15;  Isa.  58;  Job  4;  Matt. 
5;  Luke  6;  Rom.  12;  Gal.  6;  Eph.  4;  Col.  3;  Heb.  13;  2  Pet.  1; 
2  John  3,  4,  5, )  and  we  well  know  that  theft  is  expressly  for- 
bidden in  the  scriptures,  (Exod.  20;  Deut.  5;  Rom.  13;  Eph.  4;) 
and  that  theft  is  to  be  punished  by  death  according  to  the  laws 
of  the  land,  and  with  eternal  death  according  to  the  word  of 
God,  if  not  repented  of.  (1  Cor.  6.) 

The  Almighty,  merciful  Lord,  will  undoubtedly  keep  and  pre- 
serve, by  his  paternal  grace,  spirit  and  power,  inoffensive  to  the 
end  of  the  world,  all  the  pious  and  God-fearing  who  acknowledge 
him  and  are  sincere,  from  all  such  terrible  errors  and  ungodly 
abominations. 

And  should  it  be  the  case,  that  one  of  those  be  found  among 
us  who  use  violence,  (which  is  quite  unknown  to  me, )  and  would 
do  that  which  is  from  the  devil,  my  beloved  sirs,  know  you  that 
such  an  one  was  not  of  us  from  the  beginning,  and  will  eternally 
be  not  of  us,  except  he  be  thoroughly  converted,  repent  sin- 
cerely, and  become  one  with  the  spirit,  doctrine  and  example  of 
Christ,  as  the  scriptures  teach.  May  the  gracious  Lord  grant 
that  they  may  awaken,  overcome  their  drowsiness,  learn  to 
know  their  works,  see  their  nakedness,  and  be  extricated  from 
the  snares  of  the  devil,  by  which  the  poor  miserable  people  are 
so  lamentably  led  captive  at  his  will. 

Therefore,  beloved  lords,  beware  that  you  be  not  in  your 

6* 


130  A  CHlilSTIAN    AND  AFFECTIONATE 

belief  like  the  abandoned  and  senseless  in  judgment,  who  per- 
sist, without  any  knowledge  of  the  matter,  in  their  own  opinion 
and  wantonness,  like  irrational  creatures,  upbraid  the  good 
and  praise  the  evil,  persecute  and  condemn  what  they  under- 
stand not.  Again,  I  say,  be  not  like  those  blood-thirsty,  raging 
and  malicious  men;  but  do  examine  the  scriptures  with  quak- 
ing, (1  King  3,)  pray  with  Solomon  for  wisdom,  look  to  the 
spirit,  word,  doings  and  example  of  Christ,  and  pass  an  impar- 
tial, righteous  sentence,  according  to  the  truth,  as  it  is  enjoined 
upon  and  commanded  to  all  the  princes  and  judges  in  the 
scriptures,  as  is  heard.  (Exod.  13,  23;  Deut.  4, 17;  2  Chron.  19; 
Jer.  22;  Rom.  13.) 

O,  beloved  sirs,  do  take  heed.  If  our  faith,  doctrine,  sacra- 
ments, transactions  and  doings  are  not  of  God,  as  we  are  every 
where  slandered,  then  are  we  the  most  miserable  of  all  men 
upon  earth  ;  if  whilst  we  are  to  be  every  one's  deceiver,  heretic, 
ana-baptist,  knave,  footstool  and  prey;  and  have  to  endure  the 
stocks,  gallows,  wheels,  sword,  fire,  water,  and  all  manner  of 
misery ;  and  our  poor  souls  must  nevertheless  be  the  property 
of  the  devil  and  brands  of  hell,  although  in  our  weakness  we 
so  cordially  seek  the  Lord,  and  are  so  sincere,  as  may  be  seen. 
O  no  !  my  beloved  sirs,  no  ;  the  spirit,  doctrine  and  life  of 
Christ  will  not  deceive  us  ;  for  his  word  is  truth  and  his  com- 
mands eternal  life.  (John  17.)  God's  promises  stand  sure 
and  immovable  ;  and  they  will  not  fail  to  be  pious.  (2  Tim.  2. ) 
Therefore,  we  pray  ancl  admonish  you,  yea,  we  counsel  and 
desire  you  that  you  would  contrast  our  seeking  with  your  seek- 
ing ;  our  spirit  with  your  spirit ;  our  doctrine  with  the  doctrine 
of  the  learned;  our  conduct  with  your  conduct;  our  poverty 
with  your  riches;  our  rejection  and  reproach  with  your  seeking 
of  honor  ;  our  affliction  and  tribulation  with  your  voluptuous- 
ness and  luxurious  living  ;  our  patience  with  your  tyranny; 
our  hard  bonds  and  reproachful  death  with  your  ungracious 
raging,  unmerciful  implacableness.  I  speak  of  the  guilty.  If 
you  should  then  find  that  your  doctrine,  faith,  life,  seeking  and 
doings  are  more  in  accordance  with  the  spirit,  word  and  life  of 
the  Lord,  and  are  better  than  ours,  then  instruct  us  with  a 
paternal  spirit;  we  will  willingly  hear  it,  and  be  obedient,  for 
we  do  desire  to  obey  the  truth  till  death. 

But  if  you  can  not  reprove  us  by  the  scriptures,  and  see  that 
ours 'is  the  better,  it  would  then  be  heathenish,  ungodly  and 
tyrannical,  to  force  us  out  of  life  unto  death,  thrust  us  from 
heaven  into  hell;  this  you  have  to  acknowledge  and  confess. 
But,  I  am  afraid  so  much  discretion  will  not  be  manifested  to 
us-ward  as  that  the  matter  be  weighed  in  the  balance  of  the 
holy  word  and  determined  by  the  plummet  of  Christ.  But 
the  priest's  upbraiding,  betraying  and  rising  up,  and  your  un- 


EXHORTATION  TO  ALL  IN  AUTHORITY.  131 

merciful  edicts  must  be  our  books,  and  your  avengers,  beadles, 
imprisonment,  rack,  wafer,  stocks,  fire  and  sword,  O  God, 
must  be  our  instructions,  which  we,  grieved  children,  have  to 
hear  in  many  places,  and  finally  have  to  pay  them  with  our 
possessions  and  blood.  But  how  this  agrees  with  Christ's 
spirit,  doctrine  and  life,  and  with  Christian  discretion,  my  be- 
loved sirs,  may  reflect  a  little  more  upon.  We  well  know  that 
all  bloody  preachers  who  teach  and  advise  such  things,  and  all 
the  rulers  who  pi-actise  and  uphold  the  same,  are  not  the  dis- 
ciples of  Christ ;  the  hour  in  which  you  have  to  render  ac- 
counts, when  you  have  to  depart  this  life,  will  teach  you  this 
truth.  It  can  never  be,  says  Cyprian,  that  such  lion-like  fury 
and  lupine  ferocity  should  dwell  in  the  heart  of  a  Christian. 
O  how  good  it  woukl  be  for  some  of  you — yea,  how  good  it 
would  be  if  you  had  never  been  born  ;  for  there  are  so  many 
of  you  who  neither  regard  law  nor  gospel,  heaven  nor  hell, 
God  nor  devil ;  but  the  evil  flesh  will  follow  its  propensity. 

Think  you,  beloved  sirs,  that  the  Almighty  Gcd  and  Lord, 
who  holds  the  heavens  and  the  earth  in  the  hollow  of  his  hand, 
who  slays  and  makes  alive,  (Isa.  40;  1  Sam.  2,)  the  ruling 
Lord  over  all,  who  upholds  all  by  the  word  of  his  power — who 
creates  and  destroys,  (Heb.  2,)  the  consuming  fire  before  whose 
l^resence  the  hills  melted  like  wax,  (Ps.  07  ;  AVis.  6,)  that  he 
will  yield  and  give  away  to  sensual  minds  and  earthly  hearts  ? 
No  !  before  him  the  great  and  small  are  alike  ;  the  rich  and  the 
poor  ;  the  strong  and  the  weak  ;  the  learned  and  unlearned  ; 
the  wise  and  the  foolish,  are  all  alike.  He  is  no  respector  of 
persons,  (Deut.  10  ;  2  Chron  19;  J)  all  who  fear  him  not,  and 
conform  not  to  his  counsel,  doctrine,  spirit  and  example,  be  he 
emperor  or  king,  doctor  or  licentiate,  he  must  sufter  eternal 
punishment  and  be  under  his  judgment  and  fury.  (Rom.  2  ; 
Gal.  2.)  ^ 

Beloved  sirs,  fear  God,  do  right,  learn  wisdom  and  truth, 
cleanse  your  hands,  which  are  wet  and  imbrued  in  innocent 
blood,  and  reflect  how  the  righteous  God  will  punish  in  due 
time  all  unrighteousness,  malice  and  violence  ;  and  how  se- 
verely he  ever  did  and  will  avenge  and  require  the  innocent 
blood,  torture  and  death  of  his  saints,  of  those  blood-thirsty 
tyrants. 

The  blood-thirsty  Cain  had  to  be  an  accursed  vagabond  and 
exile  in  the  land  all  the  days  of  his  life,  because  he  so  miserably 
murdered  his  innocent  brother  Abel.     (Gen.  4.) 

The  unmerciful  arrogant  murderer,  Pharaoh,  with  his  whole 
host,  was  destroyed  in  the  Red  Sea  by  the  righteous  judgment 
of  God,  (Exod.  14,)  on  account  of  his  tyranny  and  cruelty, 
which  he  exercised  towards  the  children  of  Jacob,  God's  peo- 
ple.    (Exod.  1,  5.) 


133  A  CHRISTIAN  AND  AFFECTIONATE 

Joasli  was  slain  by  his  own  servants  to  avenge  the  innocent 
blood  of  Zachariah  whom  he  slew  between  the  temple  and  the 
altar.     (2  Kings  12;  2  Chron.  24.) 

Mannassah  was  led  captive  on  account  of  his  great  abomina- 
tion and  idolatry  which  he  practiced;  and  on  account  of  the  in- 
nocent blood  with  which  he  filled  Jerusalem.  (2  Kings  21 ;  2 
Chron.  33.) 

Ahab  was  shot  through  with  an  arrow,  and  his  blood  was 
licked  up  by  the  dogs  at  the  waters  of  Samaria,  (1  Kings  21,^ 
and  his  wife  Jezebel  was  thrust  out  of  the  window,  and  was 
trodden  under  foot  of  horses,  and  her  flesh  was  eaten  of  dogs, 
(2  Kings  9,)  to  punish  her  for  her  ungodly  deed  and  the  blood 
of  Naboth,  according  to  the  word  of  the  Lord,  which  he  spake 
by  Elijah  the  Tishbite.     (1  Kings  21.  J) 

Sennacherib  had  to  leave  Jerusalem  with  disgrace  on  account 
of  his  slanderously  pompous  words,  by  which  he  blasphemed 
the  Most  High.  The  angel  of  the  Lord  slew,  in  one  night,  one 
hundred  and  eighty-five  thousand  men,  in  his  camp,  and  he  was 
thrust  through  with  the  sword  of  his  own  children  in  the  tem- 
ple of  his  idol,  Nisroch.     (Isa.  36,  37;  2  Kings  10.) 

Nebuchadnezzar,  for  his  pride's  sake,  was  rejected  of  the 
people  for  the  space  of  seven  times,  was  made  like  the  irra- 
tional creatures,  he  ate  grass  like  oxen,  his  body  was  wet  with 
the  dew  of  heaven,  till  his  hairs  were  grown  like  eagle's  feath- 
ers, and  his  nails  like  bird's  claws.     (Dan.  4.) 

JBelshazzar  caroused  with  his  mighty  men,  princes,  wives  and 
concubines;  they  vrere  merry,  drank  out  of  the  holy  vessels 
which  Nebuchadnezzar,  his  father,  had  plundered  out  of  the 
temple  at  Jerusalem;  and  being  in  full  glee  and  praising  their 
gods  and  idols  of  silver,  iron  and  eartli,  the  impenitent  and 
obdurate  tyrant  was  punished  of  God  without  mercy,  that  he 
at  even  was  dei^rived  ofLhis  dominion  and  nation,  body  and  life. 
(Dan.  5.) 

Antfochus,  the  Great,  a  king  and  prince  of  all  wickedness,  a 
tyrant  of  tyrants,  was  punished  of  God  with  such  a  plague  that 
worms  crept  from  his  bowels  when  yet  alive,  and  pieces  of  flesh 
fell  from  his  body,  and  the  stench  was  so  intolerable  that  no 
one  could  endure  it,  yea,  he  himself  could  not  abide  his  own 
smell.  God's  righteous  fury  laid  hold  upon  this  ungodly  mis- 
creant, and  he  had  thus,  under  unheard  of  pain  and  sufferings, 
to  end  his  proud,  blood-thirsty,  unrighteous  life,  and  depart 
this  world.     (2  Mace.  9.) 

Herod,  dressed  in  his.  royal  attire  and  decorated,  sat  upon  his 
throne,  through  the  flattering  applause  of  his  people,  on  account 
of  his  eloquence  and  wisdom,  exalted  himself  against  God  in 
his  heart,  and  in  that  very  hour  he  was  smitten  of  the  angel  of 
the  Lord  and  was  eaten  of  worms,  (Acts  13;)  and,  according 


EXHORTATION  TO  ALL  IN  AUTHORITY.  133 

to  Eusebius's  writings,  departed  this  life  in  such  a  way  that  all 
the  proud,  haughty  tyrants  may  look  at  themselves  in  Herod's 
case,  as  in  a  mirror,  and  fear. 

In  short,  as  it  happened  to  Pilate,  Nero,  Domitian,  Maxi- 
minius,  Diocletian,  and  generally  all  malicious,  blood-thirsty 
tyrants,  and  what  kind  of  death  they  generally  died,  who  rose 
up  against  Christ  and  his  saints,  may  be  read  both  in  sacred 
and  profane  history. 

What  kind  of  death  a  nd  with  what  conscience  some  of  these 
blood-thirsty  of  our  day  departed  this  life,  I  will  not  notice  for 
certain  reasons;  yet  I  will  say  so  much,  that  neither  emperor 
nor  edicts,  upon  which  they  relied  all  the  days  of  their  lives, 
could  quiet  them  in  the  hour  of  their  death,  but  ofttimes  were 
very  much  concerned,  with  a  sighing  heart  and  with  lamenta- 
tions painfully  bewailed  the  innocent  blood,  which  they  shed 
in  the  emperor's  name,  and  said:  O  we  poor  miserable  men  ! 
what  shall  we  now  do  ? 

O  God  !  what  counsel?  Beloved  sirs,  what  counsel?  How 
will  your  poor  souls  fare  in  the  day  in  which  the  heavens  shall 
pass  away  with  a  great  noise  and  the  elements  shall  melt  with 
fervent  heat?  (2  Pet.  3;)  the  earth  also  and  the  works  that  are 
therein  shall  be  burnt  up  ?  when  we  have  all  to  appear  before . 
the  judgment  seat,  and  stand  before  the  impartial. iudge?  when 
every  one  shall  receive  according  to  his  Avorks?  (Rom.  2, 14;  2 
Cor.  5. )  He  that  keepeth  Israel  shall  neither  slumber  nor  sleep. 
(Ps.  121.)  For  yet  a  little  while,  and  he  that  shall  come  will 
come,  and  will  not  tarry,  (Heb.  10.) 

Therefore,  desist  from  touching  the  apple  of  the  Lord's  eye; 
for  he  that  touches  his  saints,  touches  the  apple  of  his  eye, 
(Zach.  2.)  Shudder  and  be  afraid  for  your  own  souls,  which 
have  to  suffer  death  eternally  in  the  torments  of  hell,  if  you  do 
not  turn  with  all  your  heart  to  the  Lord,  and  no  longer  shed 
the  blood  of  the  innocent;  for  they  daily  call  to  him — How  long, 

0  Lord,  holy  and  true,  dost  thou  not  judge  and  avenge  our 
blood  on  them  that  dwell  upon  the  *earth?  (Rev.  6.)  They  call, 

1  say,  and  their  cries  are  entered  into  the  ears  of  the  Lord  of 
Sabaoth,  (James  5;)  avenging  he  will  avenge,  and  the  blood  of 
his  servants  he  will  require  at  your  hands. 

Do  not  excuse  yourselves,  you  beloved  sirs  and  judges,  and 
say,  that  you  are  the  servants  of  the  emperor;  this  will  not 
acquit  you  in  the  day  of  vengeance.  It  availed  Pilate  nothing 
that  he  crucified  Christ  in  the  name  of  the  emperor,  for,  instead 
of  serving  the  emperor,  as  he  thought  to  retain  his  life,  honor, 
and  glory,  he  thereby  only  incurred  the  displeasure  of  the  em- 
peror and  lost  all,  and  slew  himself  with  his  own  hand,  ac- 
cording to  historians,  as  a  warning  to  others.  Then  serve  the 
emperor  in  imperial  things,  so  far  as  the  scriptures  allow  them, 


lo4  A  CHiUSTlAN    AND  AFFECTIONATE 

and  are  not  contrary  to  God  and  his  word;  and  serve  God  in 
divine  things;  then  you  may  comfort  yourselves  with  his  grace. 

Do*not  interfere  with  the  right  and  kingdom  of  Christ;  for 
he  alone  is  the  ruler  of  the  conscience,  and  beside  him  there  is 
none  other,  (Isa,  45;)  let  him  be  your  emperor,  and  his  holy 
word  your  edict  in  this  matter;  and  you  will  soon  be  satiated 
with  raging  and  murder  ;  if  not,  then  you  are  the  judges  of 
whom  it  is  written  in  Micah:  They  all  lie  in  wait  for  blood; 
they  hunt  every  man  his  brother  with  a  net.  That  they  may 
do  evil  with  both  hands  earnestly,  the  prince  asketh,  and  the 
judge  asketh  for  a  reward;  and  the  great  man  he  uttereth  his 
mischievous  desire:  so  they  wrap  it  up.  The  best  of  them  is  a 
briar  ;  the  most  upright  is  sharper  than  a  thorn  hedge  ;  the  day 
of  thy  watchmen  and  thy  visitation  cometh  ;  now  shall  be  their 
perplexity,  (Micah  7.) 

Therefore,  fight  no  longer  against  the  lamb  and  his  chosen, 
it  will  be  hard  for  you  to  kick  against  the  pricks.  (Acts  9.) 

But  you  will,  with  all  scoffers,  say  in  your  hearts  :  when  is 
the  promise  of  his  coming?  (2  Pet.  8.)  O,  beloved  sirs,  do  pay 
attention  ;  we  have  known  so  many  who  made  as  ostentatious 
display  as  you,  in  silk  and  velvet,  with  gold  and  silver,  and  sat 
in  exalted  seats,  and  passed  sentence  upon  innocent  blood,  but 
now  they  are  no  more-;  we  inquire  for  their  places  and  they 
are  not  to  be  found. 

The  day  will  usher  in  as  lightning  and  th^  hour  shall  come 
upon  them  like  a  tempest ;  beware  and  reform.  We  see  the  tree 
bud,  that  the  summer  is  nigh  at  hand,  and  our  Redeemer  is 
hastening,  who  redeems  all  the  troubled  souls  from  their  afflic- 
tions, and  he  will  recompense  all  proud  scoflers  according  to 
their  demerits.  (Luke  21.) 

Yea,  the  day  is  coming,  and  is  not  far  off,  when  the  righteous 
shall  stand  in  great  boldness  before  the  face  of  such  as  have 
afflicted  him,  and  made  no  account  of  his  labors  ;  when  they 
see  it  they  shall  be  troubled  with  terrible  fear,  and  shall  be 
amazed  at  the  strangeness  of  his  salvation,  so  far  beyond  a  11 
they  looked  for — and  they  repenting  and  groaning  for  anguish 
of  spirit  shall  say  within  themselves  :  This  was  he  whom  we 
had  sometime  in  derision,  and  a  proverb  of  reproach  ;  we  fools 
accounted  his  life  as  madness,  and  his  end  as  without  honor ; 
how  is  he  numbered  among  the  children  of  God,  and  his  lot  is 
among  the  saints  !  Therefore,  have  we  erred  from  the  way  of 
truth,  and  the  light  of  righteousness  hath  not  shined  unto  us, 
and  the  sun  of  righteousness  arose  not  upon  us.  We  wearied  our- 
selves in  the  way  of  wickedness  and  destruction;  yea,  we  have 
gone  through  deserts  where  there  lay  no  way  ;  but  as  for  the 
way  of  the  Lord,  we  have  not  known  it,  what  hath  pride  profit- 
ed us  ?  or  what  good  hath  riches  with  our  vaunting  brought 


EXHOIITATION  TO  ALL  IN  AUTHOIUTY.  135 

US  ?    All  tliose  things  are  passed  away  like  a  sliadow  and  as  a 
post  that  liastetli  by.  CWis.  5.) 

Then  will  the  righteous  intolerable  judgment  pass  upon  all 
who  know  not  God,  and  that  obey  not  the  gospel  of  our  L&rd 
Jesus  Christ,  who  shall  be  punished  with  everlasting  destruc- 
tion from  the  presence  of  the  Lord  and  from  the  glory  of  his 
power,  when  he  shall  come  to  be  glorified  in  his  saints,  and  to 
be  adored  by  all  them  that  believe,  (Thes.  1, )  the  wicked  will 
hear:  Depart  from  7iie  ye  cursed  into  the  fire  prepared  for  the 
devil  and  Ms  angels.  (Matt.  25.) 

Then  shall  your  laughing  be  changed  into  weeping,  your 
joy  into  sorrow,  your  sumptuous  lives  into  death,  your  sensual 
pleasures  into  eternal  woe,  your  pride  into  dust  and  worms, 
your  power  into  sufiering,  your  pomp  into  stench,  and  your 
malicious,  cruel  and  unmerciful  tyranny  be  retributed  with 
unquenchable  hell-fire.   (Lulce  6;  James  5.) 

My  beloved  sirs,  with  him  nothing  will  be  concealed  and  for- 
gotten. He  is  the  judge  that  searches  the  hearts  and  tries  the 
reins,  who  penetrates  the  heights  of  heaven  and  the  depths  of 
the  abyss,  and  the  length  of  the  earth,  (Ps.  7;  Jer.  17;  Rom. 
8,)  who  will  not  only  judge  and  punish  evil  works,  and  every 
idle  word,  but  also  every  unclean,  sensual  thought.  (3  Cor.  5; 
Matt.  12;  Isa.  m.) 

O  dear  Lord  !  O  Lord  of  lords  !  where  then  will  be  the  em- 
peror and  his  edicts — the  false  prophets  and  their,  deceiving 
doctrine  ?  Then  they  will  howl  and  weep,  and  cry  in  anguish 
of  soul  :  0  ye  mountains  fall  upon  us,  ye  rocks  hide  us  from 
the  presence  of  him  that  sitteth  upon  the  throne,  and  from  the 
wrath  of  the  Lamb.  Then,  there  you  will  see  that  it  was 
naught  but  lies  and  wind  with  which  you  comforted  yourselves, 
as. said.  CActs  6;  Ps.  94;  Heb.  3,  4,  10.) 

Beloved  lords,  awaken  !  It  is  yet  to-day:  do  not  boast  your- 
selves because  you  are  of  royal  family  and  are  called  gracious 
lords,  for  it  is  but  smoke,  dust  and  pride;  but  boast  and  rejoice 
when  you  are  born  of  God,  when  you  become  a  chosen  gener- 
ation, a  royal  priesthood,  a  holy  nation,  a  peculiar  people,  that 
you  should  show  forth  the  praises  of  him  who  called  you  out  of 
darkness  into  his  marvelous  light.   (IPet.  2.) 

Boast  not  that  you  are  mighty  upon  earth  and  have  great 
power,  but  boast  that  you  rule  your  land  in  the  true  fear  of 
God,  with  virtue,  wisdom  and  righteousness,  to  the  praise  of 
the  Lord. 

Boast  not  that  you  can  conquer  and  subdue  lords,  princes, 
cities  and  countries;  but  boast  if  you  subdue  your  earthly  mind 
and  can  overcome  sensual  temptations  by  the  power  of  faith, 
and  die  to  ungodliness,  and  thus  triumph  through  Christ,  and 
be  taken  in  the  kingdom  of  glory,  with  all  the  pious  soldiers  of 


136  APPEAL  TO  THE  LEARNED. 

God,  and  that  you  may  receive  the  promised  crown  at  the  hand 
of  the  Lord,  tlien  you  will  not  only  be  needy  and  perishable 
lords  and  kings,  according  to  the  flesh,  but  eternal,  spiritual 
kings,  such  as  the  Prince,  and  the  Prince  of  kings,  loves  and 
washed  them  from  sin  by  his  blood,  and  made  them  kings  and 
priests  to  God  and  his  Father.  (Rev.  1;  1  Pet.  2.)  Such  reign 
and  conquer  with  all  the  children  of  God,  the  world,  flesh, 
blood,  sin,  death,  devil,  false  doctrine,  and  the  infernal  gates ; 
they  rejoice  not  because  their  names  are  enrolled  in  the. register 
of  the  kings  of  this  world  ;  but  they  rejoice  when  their  names 
are  written  in  the  book  of  life,  in  heaven.     (Luke  10.) 

O  you  high-renowned  lords  and  princes,  O  that  you  would  in 
all  love  and  meekness  receive  this  simple,  plain,  true  instruc- 
tion of  your  poor  servant,  and  not  despise  it,  whereby  I  have 
so  fully,  and  with  a  good  heart,  admonished  all  your  worthy 
highnesses. 

Look  not  upon  my  small  person  or  to  my  little  understanding, 
but  look  to  Christ's  spirit,  word  and  example,  which  I  have 
recommended  and  taught  in  sincerity  of  heart  to  you  and  to  all 
men,  according  to  my  weak  abilities. 

Do  heartily  repent,  so  that  you  may  stand  before  God  ;  wail 
and  weep  with  David  ;  put  on  sackcloth  and  ashes,  (2  Sam.  12; 
Ps.  51,)  humble  yourselves  with  the  king  of  Nineveh  ;  confess 
your  faults  with  Manassah,  (Jonah  3  ;  2  Chron.  33  ;)  die  unto 
your  ambitious  flesh  and  pride  ;  fear  the  Lord  your  God  with 
all  your  powers ;  deal  honestly  in  the  things  entrusted  and 
commanded  you  ;  seek  the  kingdom  and  country  that  will  en- 
dure forever ;  and  reflect  that  you,  however  highly  esteemed, 
are  only  pilgrims  upon  earth  and  sojourners  and  strangers,  as 
well  as  all  other  men,  (Heb.  11,)  even  as  we  have  abundantly 
heard  and  perceived. 

Obey,  believe,  fear,  love,  serve  and  folloAV  your  Lord  and 
Saviour,  Jesus  Christ,  for  he  it  is  before  whom  every  knee  shall 
bow  :  he  is  God's  eternal  word,  wisdom,  truth  and  Son,  (John 
1  ;  Rev.  19  ;  Phil.  2  ;  Luke  11  ;  John  14.)  Seek  his  honor  and 
praise  in  all  your  thoughts,  words  and  actions,  and  you  shall 
reign  in  eternity.     (Wis.  6.  J 


APPEAL  TO  THE  LEAKNED. 

Heeewith  I  will  leave  all  the  lords  and  princes,  with  all  the 
magistracy  and  rulers,  and  those  sent  by  them,  in  the  hands  of 
the  Lord  and  address  myself  to  you,  O  you  learned,  you  who 
think  that  you  have  the  keys  of  heaven,  (Luke  11  ;  Rom.  2,) 


rPEAL    TO   THE   LEARNED.  137 

and  are  the  ej^es  and  the  light  of  the  people;  I  will  speak  with 
you  as  with  those  whose  salvation  I  seek  with  all  my  heart, 
because  I  see  with  open  eyes,  that  both  you  and  your  disciples 
run  voluntarily  into  the  eternal  destruction  of  your  souls,  and 
nevertheless  boast  yourselves  nothing  less  than  that  you  are  the 
sent  teachers,  and  your  church  is  the  church  of  Christ ;  and 
would  have  you  all,  one  with  another,  Romans,  Lutherans  and 
Zuinglians,  admonished  faithfully  and  in  brotherly  love  con- 
cerning the  following  articles  : 

That  you  would  notice,  in  the  fii'st  place,  that  your  ministry 
and  services  are  not  of  God  and  his  word,  but  are  from  the  bot- 
tomless pit,  (Rev,  9,)  for  it  is  evident  that  you  blaspheme  and 
persecute  Christ's  word,  ordinances  and  commands,  and  teach 
and  enforce  Antichrist's  word,  ordinances  and  commands  ;that 
you  profane  God's  temple,  you  build  up  and  honor  temples  of 
stone,  break  the  living  images  in  which  the  spirit  of  God  dwells, 
and  make  and  dress  up  images  of  gold,  silver  and  wood  :  that 
you  hate  a  pious,  blameless  life,  and  you  encourage  and  defend 
by  your  dissolute  examples,  a  disorderly,  frantic  life  of  the  flesh. 
Say,  my  beloved  sirs,  where  is  there  a  single  word  in  the  scrip- 
tures concerning  all  your  doings  and  divine  services,  such  as  of 
masses,  infant  baptism,  auricular  confession,  &c?  Is  not,  in 
truth,  the  greater  part  of  Avhat  you  do  and  transact,  all 
deception,  hypocrisy,  blasphemy,  abomination  and  idolatry? 
Whence  are  your  offices  and  services,  and  of  whom  are  they  ? 
I  advise  you,  in  true  love,  that  you  would  reflect,  with  the 
scriptures,  in  the  true  fear  of  God,  upon  these  things. 

Secondly.  Do  reflect  what  is  required  of  you  in  this  your 
service  and  office.  You  and  I,  heretofore,  stood  in  the  same 
call,  office  and  service  ;  I  candidly  confess  that  in  all  my  studies, 
from  my  youth  on,  in  i^reaching  and  singing,  I  sought  only  a 
vain,  lazy,  good  living,  praise  and  favor  of  men,  yea,  gluttony, 
till  the  gracious  and  great  Lord  bestowed  me  the  gift  of  his 
spirit,  and  opened  my  understanding,  that  I  acknowledged  with 
the  preacher  Solomon  that  all  my  seeking,  life  and  doings  were 
vanity,  and  that  the  end  thereof  was  certain  death  and  hell. 

But  that  you  continue  so  to  seek  is  too  palpable  to  be  denied . 
Nor  if  there  were  no  prebends  and  cloisters,  but  few  preachers, 
priests  and  monks  would  be  found.  This  I  certainly  know. 
But  as  long  as  those  exist  the  world  shall  never  be  in  want  of 
deceivers  and  hypocrites. 

Say,  beloved,  what  else  is  your  whole  seeking  and  doing,  than 
world,  carnality,  gluttony,  and  a  voluptuous  life?  Who  can 
scrutinize  and  fully  describe  your  earthly  mind  and  sensual  life  ? 
Some  of  you  make  an  ostentatious  display  in  ermine,  in  silk  and 
velvet,  others  live  in  full  revelry,  others  are  avaricious  and  hoard 
up,  some  deflower  virgins  and  maids,  others  defile  and  pollute 


138  APPEAL  TO  THE  LEARNED. 

their  neighbor's  bed,  others'  chastity  is  like  that  of  Sodom's,  all 
your  doctrine  is  deceiving,  your  sacraments  are  enchanting, 
your  piety  is  principally  ungodliness,  and  your  divine  service  is 
an  open  abomination  and  idolatry  ;  some  of  you  neither  fear 
God  nor  the  devil ;  God's  name  you  blaspheme,  his  holy  word 
you  falsify,  his  children  and  servants  you  persecute,  and,  in 
reliance  upon  his  grace,  you  do  all  manner  of  evil ;  if  you  can 
only  lead  a  life  free  from  care,  and  enjoy  fine  times,  then  all  is 
well  done.  Say,  beloved,  is  it  not  so?  Worthy  men,  is  it  not 
so  ?  This  is  your  chief  seeking  and  striving  among  great  and 
small — this  you  must  acknowledge  and  confess;  for  the  fruit  is 
manifest  to  all  the  world,  and  it  cannot  be  any  longer  con- 
cealed. 

O  men  !  do  beware  !  If  any  one  could  enter  into  life  on 
this  broad  way  which  you  teach,  and  in  which  you  walk,  and 
keep  his  soul  in  God,  who  would  not  lament  and  say  that  the 
prophets,  the  apostles,  and  all  the  witnesses  of  God,  and  also 
Christ  Jesus  himself,  did  not  act  wisely  and  prudently,  and  that 
they  have  not  done  rightly  towards  us,  that  they  passed  their 
lives  with  so  much  anguish,  suffering,  tribulation  and  pain  in 
this  grievous  vale  of  tears,  and  directed  us,  miserable,  weak 
children  into  such  a  way. 

O  no,  my  beloved,  no;  truth  will  eternally  be  truth;  if  you 
are  not  converted  to  a  better  and  Christian  mind,  (John  3  ; 
Rom.  8;  Luke  11;)  if  you  die  not  to  your  deceiving,  and  also 
to  your  vain  flesh  and  avaricious  life,  repent,  and  become  in 
your  dispositions  like  innocent  little  children,  you  cannot  enter 
the  kingdom  of  heaven  :  For  to  be  carnally  minded,  says  Paul, 
is  death.  (Eom.  8.) 

Teach,  call,  hope,  boast  in  any  way  you  choose;  if  you  think 
to  be  saved,  you  must  walk  in  the  ways  of  the  Lord  ;  hear  his 
word  and  be  obedient  thereto  ;*  for  nothing  avails  in  heaven 
and  upon  earth,  whereby  you  cr.rx  be  saved,  neither  baptism  nor 
the  Lord's  supper,  neither  eloquence  nor  erudition,  neither 
councils  nor  long  standing  usages,  neither  emperors  nor  edicts, 
neither  Christ  with  his  grace,  merits,  blood  and  death,  if  we 
are  not  born  of  God,  (understand  it  right,  those  who  have  ears 
to  hear,  and  minds  to  understand,)  believe  his  word  with  all 
the  heart,  walk  in  the  light,  do  right,  as  John  says  :  This,  then, 
is  the  message  which  we  have  heard  of  him  and  declare  unto 
you,  that  God  is  light,  and  in  him  is  no  darkness  at  all :  if  we 
say  that  we  have  fellowship  with  him,  and  walk  in  darkness, 
we  lie,  and  do  not  the  truth  :  but  if  we  walk  in  the  light,  as  he 
is  in  the  light,  we  have  fellowship  one  with  another,  and  the 
blood  of  Jesus  Christ,  his  Son,  cleanseth  us  from  all  sin.  (1 
Johnl.) 

O  transgressors,  transgressors,  examine  your  hearts,  give  heed 


APPEAL  TO  THE  LEARNED.  139 

to  my  words  and  learn  wisdom,  you  who  live  in  voluptuous- 
ness and  sit  at  ease,  wlio  say  in  your  hearts  :  It  is  we,  besides 
us  there  is  none  other  ;  what  we  command  must  and  shall  be 
heard,  and  what  we  speak  must  be  valid  upon  earth  ;  we  cannot 
go  astray  in  the  scriptures,  and  in  counsel  we  cannot  err,  and 
we  can  teach  nothing  unlawful.  Ah  !  alas  !  your  great  boasting, 
your  wisdom  deceives  you  ;  return,  your  path  is  slippery  and 
your  way  leads  to  the  abyss  of  hell. 

Worthy  men,  do  leara  to  know  what  God's  own  and  eternal 
Son,  Christ  Jesus,  sought  upon  earth,  what  he  taught,  and 
what  pattern  he  left  you;  his  seeking  was  his  father's  .praise, 
and  the  salvation  of  our  poor  souls  :  his  doctrine  was  his  father's 
word,  and  his  precedence  a  sure  way  to  the  kingdom  of  God. 
Who  being  in  the  form  of  God,  says  Paul,  thought  it  not  rob- 
bery to  be  equal  with  God,  but  he  made  himself  of  no  reimta- 
tion,  and  took  upon  him  the  form  of  a  servant,  and  was  made 
in  the  likeness  of  men,  came  poor  and  miserable  into  this  griev- 
ous world  ;  he  had  no  room  in  the  inn  when  he  was  born  ; 
(Luke  9,)  he  had  not  a  pillow  in  the  days  of  his  ministry  where- 
on to  lay  his  head  ;  nor  in  his  death  had  he  wherewith  to  quench 
his  thirst,  ( Matt.  27, )  although  it  is  he  through  whom  the  al- 
mighty, all-bountiful  Father  grants  to  all  his  created  beings, 
residence,  clothing,  meat  and  drink,  as  Paul  says  :  For  ye  knew 
the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  though  he  was  rich, 
yet  for  your  sakes  he  became  poor,  that  ye  through  his  poverty 
might  become  rich.     (2  Cor.  8.) 

If  you  have  any  fear  of  God,  and  would  not  lead  your  ov/n  and 
the  souls  of  your  poor  people  wilfully  to  death,  then  contrast 
5''0ur  seeking  with  Christ's,  your  doctrine  with  the  doctrine  of 
Christ,  your  spirit  with  Christ's  spirit,  and  your  life  v/ith  the 
life  of  Christ,  then  you  will  and  can  truly  find  whether  you  are 
in  or  out  of  Christ,  who  is  your  God,  what  Lord  you  serve,  and 
of  whose  spirit  and  kingdom  you  are. 

Thirdly.  Observe  what  fruits  and  usefulness  your  office  and 
services  bring  forth  ;  for  what  is  your  doctrine  other  than  a  use- 
less, feeble  sowing  in  the  wind,  vv^hich  has  neither  spirit  nor 
power  ;  your  sacraments  are  encouragement  to  the  impenitent, 
and  your  lives  are  examples  of  wickedness.  Where  are  the 
avaricious  whom  you  have  meliorated — the  drundards  you  made 
temperate — the  polluted  you  have  made  pure — the  haughty 
whom  you  have  humbled '?  How  will  you  teach  others  and 
you,  yourselves,  are  untaught,  and  beget  Clirist  an  acceptable 
church,  (James  2,  j  and  you,  yourselves,  are  yet  Antichrist's 
servants  and  the  children  of  Belial?  You  must  confess,  there- 
fore, and  your  disciples,  both  high  and  low,  men  and  women, 
are  all  dead  bodies,  and  have  not  God's  spirit;  for  with  you  we 
do  not  find  contrite  hearts,  true  knowledge  of  Christ,  true  love, 


140  APPEAL  TO  THE  LEARNED. 

an  earnest  desire  after  the  kingdom  of  God,  dying  to  earthly- 
things,  true  humility,  righteousness,  friendliness,  mercy,  chas- 
tity, obedience,  wisdom,  truth  and  peace  ;  but  by  all  means, 
hatred,  envy,  obdurate,  malicious,  furious  hearts,  an  aversion 
and  despising  of  the  divine  word,  lust  and  love  of  this  world, 
haughtiness,  pride,  pomp,  lies,  knavery,  disgrace,  adultery, 
whoredom,  robbery,  burning,  slaying,  cursing,  swearing,  and 
all  manner  of  malice. 

Behold,  you  withered  trees,  (Jude  1,)  and  careless  shepherds, 
these  are  the  fruits  you  bring  forth  and  bear,  and  the  sheep  you 
pasture ;  these  are  the  churches  and  disciples  you  comfort  with 
the  Lord's  blood,  preach  to  them  grace  and  peace,  and  to  whom 
you  dispense  baptism  and  the  Lord's  supper.  If  I  write  not 
the  truth,  reprove  me. 

O,  beloved  sirs,  so  entirely  have  you  lost  every  Christian  virtue, 
understanding,  and  light,  and  the  scriptures,  and  held  captive 
in  ungodliness  under  the  power  of  hell,  the  poor,  ignorant  peo- 
ple— whole  kingdoms,  cities  and  countries,  yea,  the  whole  wide 
world,  and  that,  O  God  !  for  such  small  hire,  namely,  for  hands 
full  of  barley  and  pieces  of  bread,  as  the  prophet  says.  0  ! 
that  these  things  were  not  true  ;  clear  is  sunshine,  but  clearer 
is  the  truth  which  I  Avrite. 

And  this  is  not  enough  for  you,  O  you  men.  that  you  so  mis- 
erably deceive  the  poor  wretched  souls,  and  besides  this,  y^i 
also  rebuke,  defame,  belie,  and  betray  all  those  who  seek  and 
fear  God  with  all  their  hearts  and  rebuke  all  mu-ighteousness 
with  doctrine  and  life,  and  so  willingly  walk  in  Christ.  You 
deprive  them  of  their  possessions  and  lives  that  you  may  enjoy 
great  honor  among  the  people,  and  be  not  evil  spoken  of  in  your 
doings,  that  you  be  not  hindered  in  your  ungodly  and  unlawful 
gain,  be  at  ease  to  the  end  of  your  days. 

O  how  rightly  you  are  depicted  by  the  wisdom  of  God,  which 
says :  Wo  unto  you,  scribes  and  pharisees,  hypocrites,  for  ye 
shut  up  the  kingdom  of  heaven  against  men  :  for  ye  neither  go 
in  yoursel^-es,  (take  notice,)  neither  suffer  ye  them  that  are 
entering  to  go  in. 

What  I  think,  I  write,  and  dissemble  not.  I  fear,  wprthy 
sirs,  that  there  are  many  of  you  so  ungodly,  and  are  so  far"  bent 
upon  unlawful  gain,  indolent  life,  and  the  praise  of  men,  that 
you  would  rather  see,  all  the  god-fearing  put  to  the  stake  than 
lose  a  guilder  of  your  rents,  or  to  hear  a  harsh  word  from  the 
magistracy  for  truth's  sake. 

O  you,  with  wanton  looks,  when  will  you  be  ashamed  ?  You 
diamonds  !  when  will  you  be  softened,  and  you  Moors,  when 
will  you  be  washed  white  ?  I  think  never  more  ;  for  how  can 
you  do  any  thing  good,  because  yovi  have  learned  evil,  and  are 
used  to  it  from  your  infancy?     (Jer.  3  ;  Zach.  7  ;  John  13.) 


,  APfEAL  TO  THE  LEARNED.  141 

Alas  !  my  soul  iniist  for  your  sake  be  grieved  and  has  pain- 
fully to  lament  that  err  so  lamentably,  and  besides,  cover  all 
your  disgrace  under  Christ's  word  and  name,  and  do  not  ob- 
serve, O  you  men,  that  you,  together  with  all  the  false  prophets, 
are  promised  in  the  scriptures,  and  threatened  by  the  spirit  of 
the  Lord,  every  where  with  nothing  but  punishment,  wrath, 
damnation  and  blackness  of  darkness,  the  flaming  lake  and 
eternal  gnashing  of  teeth,  weeping,  wailing  and  death. 

The  hour  is  near  at  hand  when  we  shall  and  must  hear,  give 
an  account,  &c.  (Rom.  1  ;  1  Cor.  6  ;  Gal.  5  ;  2  Pet.  2  ;  Jude 
l;Rev.  21,  22  ;  Luke  26.)  Alas,  would  it  then  be  due  to  us, 
when  the  day  is  at  hand,  to  walk  a  thousand  years  on  burning 
coals  and  in  red  hot  gauntlets,  (flames, )  then  we  might  even 
rejoice  and  be  of  good  cheer  ;  but  now  it  is  hidden  from  your 
eyes,  through  your  haughtiness,  avarice  and  momentary  luxury. 
(Luke  19.) 

Perhaps  I  should  be  smitten  on  the  cheek  by  some  of  you, 
and  with  Micah  must  hear  of  Zedekiahi  Which  way  went  the 
spirit  of  the  Lord  from  me  to  speak  unto  thee?  (2  Chron.  18.) 
O,  my  beloved,  fear  God  and  understand  the  truth.  You  direct 
the  poor  dissolute  souls  to  the  subtlety  and  philosophy  of  the 
learned,  to  the  many  councils,  to  customs  and  usages  of  long 
standing,  to  imperial  edicts,  to  the  doctrines  and  command- 
ments of  men,  jvhicli  are  nothing  but  quicksands,  which  can- 
not save  the  house  from  the  tempest,  (Matt.  7,)  but  I  do  not 
so;  I  direct  you  to  Moses,  (Deut.  18,)  and  to  the  prophets,  with 
the  apostles,  angels,  and  the  Father  himself,  to  Christ  Jesus, 
to  whom  all  the  emperors,  kings,  councils,  usages  and  the 
learned,  have  to  yield  ;  for  his  word  is  truth,  and  his  commands 
are  eternal  life.  To  him  every  knee  shall  bow,  of  things  in 
heaven  and  things  in  earth,  and  things  under  the  earth  ;  all 
who  reject  him,  reject  the  Father  that  sent  him,  (Isa.  6,  7  ;  Jer. 
35 ;  Luke  1  ;  Matt.  17  ;  John  7,  12  ;  Phil.  2.) 

This  I  teach  you,  I  direct  you  to  his  spirit,  word,  life,  com- 
mand, prohibition,  ordinances  and  usages,  as  to  a  sure  and  im- 
movable foundation,  laid  in  Zion,  to  a  plain  and  safe  way,  pre- 
pared of  God,  who,  according  to  all  his  sure  promises,  will  lead 
all  the  truly  penitent  and  Christian  believers  into  eternal  life. 

Beloved  men,  do  observe  there  were  four  hundred  false 
prophets  in  the  days  of  Ahab,  king  of  Israel,  who  unanimously 
prophesied  prosperity  and  felicity,  that  he  should  go  out  and 
meet  his  enemies,  for  God  would  give  the  king's  enemies  into 
his  hands  ;  but  there  was  but  one  Micah  spoke  the  truth  and 
predicted  adversity  in  the  name  of  the  Lord.     (2   Chron.  18.) 

And  there  were  also  four  hundred  and  fifty  prophets  of  Baal, 
and  there  were  four  hundred  prophets  of  the  groves  which  ate 
at  Jezebel's  table  ;  but  there  was  only  one  Elijah,  a  man  of 


142  ■      -        APPEAL  TO    THE    LEARNED.  ^ 

God  and  a  prophet  of  the  Lord,  who  was  zealous  for  the  law 
of  his  God  and  defended  the  praise  of  God.   (1  Kings  18.) 

Joash ,  with  all  the  princes,  priests  and  common  people,  all 
were  unanimous  in  their  groves  and  their  false  worship,  which 
they  had  chosen  after  the  death  of  Jehoida,  the  high  priest, 
and  there  was  but  one  Zacharias  who  reproved  the  ungodly 
abominations,  and  threatened  them  with  wrath  and  punish- 
ment of  his  God.  (2  Chron.  24.  J 

Even  as  those  renowned  and  worthy  men  of  God,  though 
they  were  few  at  all  times,  reproved,  with  pure,  divine  ardor, 
in  the  power  of  the  spirit,  and  faithfully  admonished  by  the 
law  of  God  with  their  great  and  glorious  talents,  all  the  diso- 
bedient and  idolatrous  kings,  prince,  priests  and  the  common 
people,  without  respect  to  persons ;  and  on  account  thereof 
suffered  misery,  tribulation,  bonds  and  death,  as  we  may  abun- 
dantly read  and  see  in  the  scriptures  and  histories  ;  I  do  also 
here  with  my  small  talents,  for  similar  views  and  reasons, 
openly  testify,  because  I  see  with  my  eyes,  that  you  all  hypo- 
critically flatter  lords  and  princes,  soothe  the  world  ;  and,  alas, 
that  will,  with  his  Lord's  word  attack  the  ungodly  life,  re- 
prove the  wickedness  of  men  ;  and  therefore,  as  the  aforemen- 
tioned had  to  do,  have  not  to  hear  and  endure  a  little,  although 
I  mean  it  well  and  have  such  a  true  ground. 

O,  worthy  men,  deliberate,  reflect  on  the  master.  Consider 
the  end — contemplate  the  consequence.  You  trust  to  the  in- 
vention of  men  ;  but  we  put  our  trust  in  God's  word  and  truth; 
you  seek  the  world,  we  seek  heaven ;  you  place  your  affections 
upon  the  present,  we  upon  the  future  ;  you  depend  upon  the 
emperor  and  temporal  powers  ;  we  depend  on  Christ  and  his 
promises  till  we  all  shall  appear  before  him,  who  will  come  in 
the  clouds  of  heaven  to  requite  all  flesh  ;  then  you  will  see 
what  you  sought,  what  office  you  conducted,  what  fruits  you 
brought  forth,  for  what  hire  you  served,  whose  word  you 
preached,  whose  counsel  you  rejected,  and  whom,  O  men,  you 
so  enviously  stabbed. 

Hereby  I  will  commit  you  to  the  Lord,  you  learned  and 
preachers ;  and  entreat  for  God's  sake,  (to  the  good  of  all  your 
souls, )  that  you  accept  this  my  faithful  warning  with  gratitude 
and  love,  written  to  you  in  sincere  and  Christian  love,  (inten- 
tion, )  read  it  with  an  understanding  heart,  reflect  upon  it,  and 
examine  it  with  fear  and  trembling.  I  certainly  know  that  you 
will  find  nothing  in  in  it  but  a  kindness,  love,  zeal,  and  a  sure 
foundation  of  eternal  and  invincible  truth. 

And  though  some  of  you  may  think  that  I  reprove  too  se- 
verely, you  ought  to  know  that  I  have  not  done  so  without  the 
instruction,  counsel  and  doctrine  of  the  holy  prophets,  Christ 
and  the  apostles.    I  have  given  no  name  without,  the  word  of 


APPEAL  TO   THE   COMMON   PEOPLE.  143 

God.  He  that  is  innocent,  thank  God  and  rejoice  ;  but  lie  that 
is  guilty  is  not  reproved  by  me,  but  by  God's  spirit  and  word. 
O,  my  well-wishing  friends,  fear  God  and  his  judgment ;  re- 
form your  earthly,  sensual  life,  abandon  all  your  deceptions, 
blindness,  seducement3  and  abominations,  in  which  you  have 
hitherto  been  involved  ;  with  all  your  power  seek  the  right 
truth  ;  pray  to  God  for  wisdom  ;  warn  every  one  ;  deal  and  act 
unblamably ;  then  you  will  not  be  of  that  number  of  shepherds 
called  by  such  dreadful  names  in  the  scriptures,  and  you  will 
notjbe  partakers  of  that  displeasure,  punishment  and  wrath, 
but  you  will  inherit  grace,  mercy  and  life,  as  the  prophet  says  : 
But  if  the  wicked  will  turn  from  all  his  sins  that  he  hath  com- 
mitted and  keep  all  my  statutes,  and  do  that  which  is  lawful 
and  right,  he  shall  surely  live,  he  shall  not  die.  (Ezek.  18  ) 
The  gracious  and  merciful  Lord  grant  you  all  his  grace, 
knowledge,  spirit,  wisdom,  light  and  truth,  that  you  may  cor- 
dially awaken,  repent,  and  be  eternally  saved,  Amen. 


APPEAL  TO  THE  COMMOJST  PEOPLE. 

Give  ear,  you  people,  and  take  it  to  heart,  you  who  trust  in 
lies  and  boast  you  are  Christians  ;  tear  your  bands  asunder 
and  suffer  yourselves  to  be  led  no  longer  as  asses  bound  and 
under  a  heavy  burden  of  sin,  by  these  aforementioned  drivers, 
for  they  deceive  you  ;  they  preach  to  you  according  to  their  own 
opinion,  and  not  out  of  the  mouth  of  the  Lord  ;  they  comfort 
you  in  your  wicked  ways ;  they  call  and  cry  only  mercy  and 
peace,  though  it  is  displeasue  and  judgment,  as  the  prophet 
says.  The  priests  and  prophets  teach  falsely,  and  comfort  my 
people  in  their  calamity,  that  they  shall  esteem  it  lightly,  say- 
ing peace,  peace,  when  there  is  no  peace;  (Jer.  6,)  they  aro 
the  blind  leaders  who  lead  you  and  themselves  right  into  the 
pit,  CMatt.  15,)  and  the  blind  watchmen  who  watch  not  over 
the  city  of  God.  CEzek.  33.)  Thieves  and  murderers,  who 
slay  your  poor  souls  with  the  sword  of  their  false  doctrine,  and 
steal  from  you  the  Lord's  word  and  kingdom  (John  10;)  greedy 
shepherds  who  seek  your* wool,  milk  and  flesh,  and  not  your 
souls.  (Ezek.  34.)  In  short,  they  are  those  who  wholly  deso- 
late the  kingdom  of  Christ,  and  promulgate  in  high  honor  the 
kingdom  of  Antichrist  through  the  whole  world,  and  who  al- 
ways comfort  and  defend  you  poor  children  in  your  dissolute 
abominations  and  in  obdurate,  blind  life,  so  that,  alas  !  there  is 


144  APPfiAL   TO   THE   COMMOl?  PEOPLE. 

none  who  is  cordially  converted  to  tlie  Lord  laments  his   sins 
and  says  :  What  do  I  ? 

O,  worthy  children  and  brethren,  my  heart  in  my  body  quakes 
and  fears,  when  I  reflect  that  such  a  numberless  class  of  men 
are  born  in  vain  and  to  no  purpose  ;  who  will  have  eternally  to 
endure  the  wrath  and  judgment  of  the  Lord,  if  they  repent  not, 
and  shall  never  find  grace. 

Beloved  children,  take  heed,  for  thus  Christ  Jesus  teaches 
you  :  I  tell  you  of  a  truth,  except  ye  be  converted  and  become 
like  little  children,  ye  shall  not  enter  into  the  kingdom  of 
heaven.  (Matt.  18.)  O,  dear  Lord,  this  is  spoken  by  God's 
eternal  truth,  which  cannot  lie,  (Heb.  S)  and  how  ungodly  you 
ignorant  people  live,  and  how  far  you  are  from  the  innocence 
of  children,  your  fruits  testify  and  show  ;  for  you  despise  God 
and  his  word  ;  you  hate  all  righteousness  and  truth,  (Tit.  1), 
many  of  you  live  as  the  irrational  creatures,  others  litigate, 
quarrel,  curse  and  swear,  are  covetous,  hoard  up,  practice 
usury,  lie,  cheat,  injure  and  defraud  each  other ;  fidelity  and 
piety  scarcely  exist  among  you,  but  perfidy  and  knavery  prevail 
generally  ;  eating  to  excess,  drinking  and  gambling*  are  pastime 
with  you  ;  to  pollute  women  and  defile  virgins  is  called  court- 
ing and  loving.  To  take  the  advantage  of,  and  to  defraud  one 
another,  is  called  understanding  and  wisdom  ;  you  are  valiant 
at  beer  and  mighty  at  wine,  (Isa.  5  ;  Rom.  3) ;  unrighteousness 
and  destruction  are  in  all  your  ways;  the  poor  and  weak  you 
oppress,  and  you  revile  the  afflicted,  the  god-fearing  and  pious; 
to  do  evil  you  think  and  practise,  you  are  without  understand- 
ing, says  the  prophet,  (Hos.  4)  as  a  frantic  heifer.  Pomp  and 
pride  you  call  the  fashion  and  custom  of  the  country,  you  lie 
in  wait  for  blood,  you  hunt  every  man  his  brother  with  a  net, 
says  the  prophet,  (Mich.  7, )  your  faith  is  hypocrisy,  your  di- 
vine service  idolatry,  your  whole  life  is  world  and  flesh,  as  may 
be  seen,  and  then  you  say,  he  that  walks  in  simplicity  walks 
right,  as  if  ignorance,  blindness  and  despising  of  the  truth  of 
godliness  were  a  pious  life.  Dear  children,  be  ashamed  of 
your  offensive  wantonness  and  accursed  folly. 

Do  you  suppose  that  Christ  is  a  liar,  and  his  word  a  fable? 
O  no  !  his  sentence  stands  immovable,  and  shall  never  be 
altered  ;  if  you  live  in  pride,  avarice,  voluptuousness,  unchas- 
tity  and  in  sensual  lusts,  believe  not  Christ  and  his  word,  and 
continue  to  be  earthly-minded,  and  ai;e  not  born  of  God,  you 
must  die  eternally,  or  the  spirit  of  God  is  not  true,  but  is  false. 
(John  3  ;  Rom.  8  ;  1  Cor.  5 ;  Gal.  5  ;  Eph.  5  ;  Rev.  21,  22.) 

Say,  beloved,  why  do  you  extol  the  apostles  and  prophets 
and  consider  their  doctrine  heresy,  and  their  lives  madness  ? 
And  why  do  you  suffer  yourselves  to  be  called  Christians,  and 
hate  and  are  opposed  to  Christ's  word  and  example? 


APPEAL  TO   THE   COMMON   PEOPLE.  145 

Say  you,  we  are  without  understanding,  untaught,  and  know 
not  the  scriptures?  (Deut.  10  ;  Matt.  22  ;  Mark  12  ;  Rom.  13  ; 
Gal.  5.)  I  then  again  reply,  the  word  is  plain  and  needs  no 
comment,  namely  :  Thou  shall  love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all 
thy  heart,  with  all  thy  soul,  with  all  thy  strength,  (Deut.  6,  J 
and  thy  neighbor  as  thyself.  (Num.  19.)  Again,  you  shall  give 
bread  to  the  hungry  and  entertain  the  needy.  (Isa.  58.) 
•  If  you  live  according  to  the  flesh,  you  shall  die  ;  for,  to  be 
carnally  minded  is  death  (Rom.  8  ;)  avaricious,  drunkards  and 
the  proud,  shall  not  inherit  the  kingdom  of  God.     (1  Cor.  6.) 

God  will  judge  adulterers  and  fornicators,  (Heb  13,  and 
many  like  passages.)  All  who  do  not  understand  such  passages, 
we  must  confess  and  acknowledge,  are  more  like  irrational 
creatures  than  men,  more  like  blocks  than  Christians. 

O  my  children,  my  beloved  children,  do  not  deceive  your  own 
souls ;  seek  wisdom  and  understanding,  even  as  you  do  your 
daily  food,  that  you  may  find  great  riches ;  for  the  kingdom  of 
heaven  suffers  violence.  (Matt.  11.)  Strive,  says  Christ,  to 
enter  in  at  the  strait  gate  (Luke  13, )  pray  and  you  shall  receive; 
seek  and  you  shall  find  ;  knock  and  jt  shall  be  opened  to  you. 
(Matt.  7.)  The  almighty  great  God  is  not  satisfied  with  a  bare 
name,  (John  3,  7,  14,  15  ;  Matt.  5,)  but  he  desires  a  true,  sin- 
cere faith,  unfeigned,  ardent  love,  a  new,  converted  and 
changed  heart,  true  humility,  mercy,  chastity,  patience,  righte- 
ousness and  peace;  he  desires  the  whole  man,  heart,  profes- 
sions and  actions,  who  delights  in  the  word  of  the  Lord,  speaks 
the  truth  from  the  heart,  crucifies  his  flesh,  and  will  give  his 
goods  and  blood'for  the  word  of  the  Lord,  if  it  be  required. 
(Ps.  1,  15  ;  Gal.    5  ;  Matt.  10,   16  ;  Luke  14.) 

Behold,  dear  children,  this  is  the  way  in  which  we  all  have  to 
walk,  if  we  would  be  saved  ;  therefore,  awaken  and  learn  wis- 
dom. Hear  the  inviting  voice  of  God,  open  unto  him,  and 
meet  him  that  he  complain  not  of  you,  as  he  did  formerly 
through  his  prophets,  of  obdurate  aiid  stiff-necked  Judea  and 
Jerusalem  :  I  have  nourished,  says  he,  and  brought  up  children, 
and  they  have  rebelled  against  me  ;  the  ox  knoweth  his  owner, 
and  the  ass  his  master's  crib:  but  Israel  doth  not  know,  ray 
people  doth  not  consider.  Ah,  sinful  nation,  a  people  laden 
with  iniquity,  a  seed  of  evil-doers,  children  that  are  corrupters! 
They  have  forsaken  the  Loid,  they  have  provoked  the  Holy 
One  of  Israel  unto  anger,  they  have  gone  'away  backward. 
(Isa.  1.) 

Jeremiah  says :  Every  one  turn  to  his  course,  as  the  horse 
rusheth  into  the  battle  ;  yea,  the  stork  in  the  heaven  knoweth 
her  appointed  times  ;  and  the  turtle  and  the  crane,  and  the 
swallow  observeth  the  time  of  their  coming :  but  my  people 
know  not  the  judgment  of  the  Lord.     (Jer.  8.) 

7 


146  APrEAL   TO   CORBUPT   SECTS. 

Remember,  dear  cliildreii,  how  greatly  Jesus  Christ  took  to 
heart  the  obstinacy  and  blindness  of  the  Jews,  when  he  said  : 
Jerusalem,  Jerusalem,  how  often  would  I  have  gathered  thy 
children  together,  even  as  a  hen  gathereth  her  chickens,  and  ye 
would  not,  (Matt.  23.)  He  wept  and  said :  If  thou hadst  known, 
even  thou,  at  least  in  this  thy  day,  the  things  which  belong 
unto  thy  peace,  but  now  they  are  hidden  from  thine  eyes. 
(Luke  19.) 

Wherefore,  lay  aside  all  filthiness  and  superfluity  of  naughti- 
ness, and  receive  with  meekness  the  ingrafted  word,  which  is 
able  to  save  your  souls,  (James  1.)  Seek  God  with  a  full  heart, 
repent  sincerely,  cleanse  yourselves  inwardly  before  the  Lord, 
let  go  world,  flesh,  false  doctrine,  and  every  thing  contrary  to 
God's  honor,  will  and  word,  hear,  believe  and  follow  the  only 
and  true  shepherd  of  your  souls,  Jesus  Christ,  who  sought  you 
in  such  great  love,  and  purchased  you  with  such  a  precious 
price,  then  yon  may  of  a  truth  boast  that  you  are  God's  people 
and  church.  To  him,  the  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  be 
praise  and  the  eternal  kingdom.     Amen. 


APPEAL  TO  COEEUPT  SECTS. 

Christ  said  :  False  christs  and  false  prophets  shall  arise,  and 
shall  show  signs  and  wonders,  to  seduce,  if  it  were  possible, 
even  the  elect.  But  take  ye  heed,  behold  I  have  told  you  all 
things.  (Matt.  7;  Mark  13.)  O,  you  backsliding,  erring  chil- 
dren !  if  you  had  taken  to  heart  the  faithful  warning  of  our 
Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ — if  you  had  acknowledged  his 
spirit,  doctrine  and  holy  life  as  a  perfect  and  had  received  him 
for  a  true  prophet,  (as  promised  in  the  scriptures, )  and  for  the 
true  and  living  Son  of  God,  never  would  you  have  suffered 
yourselves  to  be  misled  so  far  from  Him,  nor  would  you  have 
given  place  to  such  abominable  errors.  But  now,  some  of  you, 
O  Lord!  are  so  far  gone  and  bewitched,  that  I  fear  you  will 
never  come  to  Christ,  the  true  Shepherd,  for  the  abominable, 
ungodly  works,  (which  are  not  only  contrary  to  Christ's  spirit, 
word  and  will,  but  also  against  all  honest  modesty,  nature  and 
reason,)  you  maintain  as  right  and  good,  and,  with  a  dark 
perverted  understanding,  defend  the  scriptures. 

Is  it  not  a  grievous  error  that  you  suffer  yourselves  to  be  so 
miserably  bewitched,  and  so  lamentably  misled  from  one  un- 
clean sect  to  another,  first  to  that  of  Munster,  next  to  Batten- 
berg,  nowDavidists;  from  Beelzebub  to  Lucifer,  and  from  Belial 


APPEAL  TO  CORRUPT  SECTS.  147 

to  Behemoth?  Ever  learning,  but  never  able  to  come  to  the 
knowledge  of  the  truth :  you  suffer  yourselves  to  be  led  about 
by  every  wmd  of  doctrine.  You  choose  out  a  way  for  yourselves, 
as  do  also  the  priests  and  monks;  you  hold  not  to  the  head 
from  which  all  the  body,  by  joints  and  bands  having  nourish- 
ment administered  and  knit  together,  increaseth  with  the 
increase  of  God.     (Col.  2.) 

Such,  I  fear,  shall  lead  to  the  punishment  of  your  sins;  for, 
by  your  earthly,  fleshy  mind,  you  have  thrust  from  you  the 
pure  knowledge  of  Christ,  and  hated  his  cross;  and  in  pride, 
haughtiness,  eating,  drinking,  dissimulation  and  false  worship, 
you  confomi  to  this  arrogant,  unprofitable,  idle,  ungodly  world, 
(which  you  should  teach  by  a  godly,  humble  walk, )  in  opposing 
all  the  admonitions  of  scripture,  and  the  infallible  example  of 
Christ  and  his  saints. 

O,  you  backsliding  children!  reflect  how  grievously  you  dis- 
grace the  holy  Moses,  who  teaches  and  speaks  to  you  out  of  the 
mouth  of  God.  He  says:  I  will  raise  them  up  a  prophet  from 
among  their  brethren,  like  unto  thee,  and  will  put  my  words 
in  his  mouth;  and  he  shall  speak  unto  them  all  that  I  shall 
command  him.  And  it  shall  come  to  pass,  that  whosoever  will 
not  hearken  unto  my  words  which  he  shall  speak  in  my  name, 
I  will  require  it  of  him.  (Deut.  18.)  This  is  repeated  by  Peter 
and  Stephen  in  Acts  3,  7. 

What  do  you  do  with  all  the  great  prophets  of  God,  as  David, 
Isaiah,  Jeremiah  and  Ezekiel,  who,  in  so  many  places,  with 
such  plain  words,  through  the  inspiration  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
direct  us  to  Christ  and  his  word?  (Ps.  2,  22;  Isa.  7,  9,  28,  35, 
40;  Jer.  23,  30,  33;  Ezek.  34.)  They  must  either ' testify  to 
lies,  or  your  prophets  must  be  deceivers  and  false  teachers — 
this  is  indisputable. 

Did  not  holy  Paul  say:  But  though  we,  or  an  angel  from 
heaven,  preach  unto  you  any  other  gospel  than  that  which  we 
have  preached,  let  him  be  accursed  or  anathematized?  You 
must  be  aware  and  admit  that  your  prophets  with  their  kings, 
dominions,  polygamy,  sword,  &c. ,  agree  not  with  the  doctrine 
of  Paul  and  the  apostles;  it  therefore  follows  that  they,  with 
their  doctrine  and  conduct,  are  cursed  and  anathematized. 
(Gal.  1.) 

Say,  my  beloved,  what  do  you  do  with  the  revealed  and 
infallible  word  and  testimony  of  the  Almighty  Father,  which 
he  himself  of  his  Son  has  testified,  and  said:  This  is  my  beloved 
Son,  in  whom  I  am  well  pleased,  hear  ye  him?  (Matt.  17.) 
Him  shall  you  hear;  but  since  you  reject  his  spirit,  word  and 
example,  you  follow  and  hear  those  who,  with  their  spirit, 
doctrine  and  conduct,  are  from  the  bottomless  pit — yea;  mani- 
festly Antichrists  and  false  prophets. 


148  APPEAL  TO  COKRUPT  SECTS. 

Know  you  not  that  the  Son  of  God  has  himself  commanded 
us  that  we  should  obsei-ve  all  that  he  has  enjoined,  and  that  he 
will  be  with  us  until  the  end  of  the  world?  (Matt.  28.) 

Will  you  then  say  that  Christ's  and  the  apostles'  doctrine 
was  imperfect,  and  that  your  teachers  bring  forth  the  perfect 
instruction?  I  answer,  that  to  teach  and  believe  this,  is  the 
most  horrible  blasphemy,  the  most  mocking  perversity,  that  can 
be  uttered  against  the  Most  High;  for  you  thereby  declare 
that  Christ  is  not  the  true  Son  of  God,  the  perfect  teacher, 
and  the  true  image  of  righteousness.  You  deny  the  whole 
scripture,  you  reject  the  testimony  of  Moses  and  all  the 
prophets,  who  directed  to  the  only  and  true  Christ,  as  has  been 
shown;  you  disparage  the  Father's  word,  and  reject  Christ 
Jesus,  with  his  spirit,  word,  kingdom  and  spiritual  government, 
and  raise  your  hearts  and  hopes  upon  lying,  mortal  flesh,  and 
upon  earthly,  sensual  things,  which,  as  the  scriptures  teach, 
must  be  dispersed  like  dust  before  winds.  Examine  the  scrip- 
tures in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  and  reflect,  if  such  is  not  a  gross 
blasphemy  against  the  Almighty  ? 

.  Say,  you  deceived  children,  where  is  there  a  syllable  in  the 
whole  doctrine  of  Christ  and  the  apostles,  (according  to  which 
spirit,  doctrine,  conduct  and  usage  all  scripture  must  be  under- 
stood, )  by  which  you  can  prove  and  establish  one  of  all  your 
erring  articles? 

Would  you  then  appeal  to  the  literal  understanding  and 
transactions  of  Moses  and  the  prophets,  so  must  you  also 
become  Jews,  receive  circumcision,  literally  possess  the  land  of 
Canaan,  again  erect  the  Jewish  kingdom,  and  build  the  city  and 
temple,  and  after  the  law,  offer  sacrifices,  and  attend  to  the 
worship  of  God,  and  declare  that  Christ,  the  promised  Saviour, 
has  not  yet  come,  who  has  changed  the  liberal  and  figurative 
ceremonies  into  new,  spiritual  and  abiding  substances. 

You  miserable,  erring  sheep,  (John  19,)  observe  I  have  before 
remarked  to  the  magistrates,  that  the  kingdom  of  Christ  is  not 
of  this  visible,  perishing  world,  but  that  it  is  an  eternal,  spiritual 
and  abiding  kingdom,  (Luke  1;  Heb.  1 ;)  where  there  are  no 
eating  and  drinking,  but  righteousness,  peace  uud  joy  in  the 
Holy  Ghost.  (Rom.  14;  Isa.  6;  Dan.  7.)  There  no  king  reigns, 
but  the  true  king  of  Zion,  Christ  Jesus.  (Ps.  2.)  He  is  the  king 
of  righteousness,  (Jer.  23,  33,)  the  king  of  peace,  (Heb.  7,)  the 
king  of  kings,  (Rev.  1,  17,  19,)  who  has  all  power  in  heaven 
above  and  on  earth  beneath;  (Matt.  28,)  before  whom  eveiy 
knee  shall  bow,  and  every  tongue  confess.  (Phil.  2.)  The  true 
king  David  in  spirit,  (Ezek.  34,  37,)  who,  through  his  righteous- 
ness, merits  and  crimson  blood,  has  ransomed  the  sheep  from 
the  mouths  of  the  lions  and  bears  of  the  pit,  and  has  slain  the 
terrible  Goliah,  and  obtained  for  the  spiritual  Israel  of  God 


i 


APPEAL  TO  CORRUPT  SECTS.  149 

eternal  welfare  and  peace.  Neither  the  king  nor  his  servants 
bears  any  sword  but  the  sword  of  the  spirit — the  word  of  God, 
which  cuts  asunder  the  spirit,  body  and  soul.  "With  this  he 
brings  forth,  builds,  extends  and  governs  his  kingdom,  guards 
and  defends  it  under  the  pressing  cross,  in  all  trials  and  tempta- 
tions, from  all  the  gates  of  hell,  onsets  and  powers,  (Matt.  16; 
Eph.  6:  Rev.  12,  19;  Heb.  4;  Mark  16;  1  Cor.  4;  1  Pet; 
James  1,)  and  not  with  iron  or  steel,  as  the  rude,  vindictive 
world  does;  for  his  kingdom  and  dominion  are  spirit,  and  not 
letter,  as  has  been  shown. 

Again,  under  this  kingdom,  and  under  this  king,  no  other 
wedlock  must  be  tolerated  except  between  one  man  and  one 
woman,  as  God  had  in  the  beginning  established  in  the  union  of 
Adam  and  Eve ;  and  Christ  has  further  said  that  these  two  are 
one  flesh,  and  that  they  may  not  separate  themselves  except 
on  account  of  adultery.  (Matt.  5,  19;  Mark  10;  Luke  16;  1 
Cor.  7;  Eph.  5;  1  Tim.  3;  Tit.  1.) 

This  is  not  a  kingdom  in  which  we  make  a  display  with  gold, 
silver,  pearls,  silk,  velvet  and  costly  x)ride.  And  your  teachers 
also  acquit  and  teach  you  with  this  decei:)tion,  to  wit:  that  you 
are  guiltless  if  you  do  not  desire  these  things  in  your  hearts! 
Thus  might  satan  approve  his  haughtiness  and  make  pure  and 
good  the  desire  of  his  eyes.  But  this  is  the  kingdom  of  all 
humility;  wherein  (I  say)  not  the  outward  adorning  of  the 
body,  but  the  inward  adorning  of  the  soul,  zeal,  sincerity,  a 
broken  heart,  and  contrite  spirit,  are  sought  and  desired. 
(Matt.  22;  Rev.  19.) 

Here  is  known  no  lying,  eating,  drinking,  or  hypocrisy;  here 
none  conforms  himself  to  a  drunken,  luxurious,  idle  and  idola- 
trous world,  nor  lays  from  him  the  cross  of  Christ,  as  you  do, 
but  all  are  upright  and  godly  in  heart  and  deed.  (Matt.  5.) 
They  speak  the  truth  from  the  heart.  (Ps.  15;  Col.  3;  Eph.  5.) 
They  lead  a  circumspect,  temperate  life,  (Tit.  2;  1  Pet.  5;)  they 
shun  all  idolatry  and  false  doctrine  from  within  and  without; 
they  avoid  all  appearance  of  evil,  (Matt.  7,  15,  16;  John  10; 
Rom,  16;  1  Tim.  6;  2  Tim.  3;  Tit.  3;  2  John  1;  Thes.  5;)  they 
perfoi-m  the  true  worship  of  the  heart;  (Rom.  12;  Heb.  12; 
James  1;)  they  abide  firmly  in  Christ's  word  and  ordinrvuces; 
(Matt.  28;  John  8;  2  John  1;)  they  lead  an  unblamable  life 
before  the  whole  world,  (Matt.  5;  Phil.  1,  2;)  they  testify  of 
Jesus  Christ  with  the  mouth,  with  works,  with  possessions 
and  with  blood,  as  the  divine  honor  requires  it.  (Matt.  10; 
Mark  8;  Luke  14. ) 

Here  that  confession  is  unknown  to  which  some  of  you 
pretend.  Here  we  confess  only  to  the  true  God  before  whom 
we  have  sinned,  and  to  our  neighbor  against  whom  we  have 
trespassed.  (Wis.  23;  Matt.  17;  Col.  3;  Eph.  4;  James  5.) 


150  APPEAL  TO  COKRUPT  SECTS. 

Here  modesty,  rectitude  and  honesty  are  taught  and  prac- 
tised, but  not  immodesty,  disgrace  and  uncleanness.  I  think 
you  understand  well  what  I  mean. 

In  short,  here  the  spirit,  word,  will,  commands,  prohibitions, 
ordinances,  customs  and  examples  of  Christ  are  taught.  The 
whole  scriptures  direct  to  these,  and  not  to  the  opinions  of 
men  who  invented  words,  enchanting  appearances,  pompous 
speeches,  dreams,  visions,  lying  wonders,  cf  which  God's  spirit 
in  the  holy  scriptures  warn  and  dissuade  us  on  all  sides.  (Matt. 
24;  Mark  13;  2  Cor.  11.) 

Dear  children,  reform  yourselves.  Every  one  who  teaches 
you  otherwise,  than  is  testified  by  the  word  of  the  Lord,  even 
though  he  were  one  who  could  dry  up  the  bottom  of  the  sea, 
and  hurl  the  stars  down  from  heaven,  let  him  be  abandoned 
and  let  his  doctrine  be  regarded  as  deceiving  and  erroneous, 
for,  to  all  eternity  there  may  no  other  foundation  be  laid,  than 
that  which  is  laid,  Christ  Jesus.  (1  Cor.  3.)  He  is  the  corner- 
stone and  foundation  in  Zion,  (Gal.  1,)  on  whom  all  the  build- 
ing fitly  framed  together  Caccording  to  his  will,  spirit  and  word, ) 
groweth  into  a  holy  temple  unto  the  Lord,  (Eph.  2.) 

0  ye  backsliding  children,  hear  God's  word  and  make  haste, 
for  your  way  is  in  darkness,  and  your  path  leads  to  death. 
Embrace  the  truth  and  learn  wisdom,  for  your  comforters  have 
destroyed  you  and  rendered  uneven  the  way  in  which  you 
must  go.  (Isa.  3.)  Munster  and  Amsterdam  may  well  be  to  you 
an  eternal  warning  and  example.  When  a  i^rophet,  (said 
Moses)  si)eaks  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  if  the  thing  follow  not, 
nor  come  to  pass,  that  is  the  thing  which  the  Lord  hath  not 
spoken.  (Deut.  1.) 

O,  dear  Lord  !  How  many  innocent  hearts  have  they  ruined, 
how  many  poor  souls  have  they  deceived — what  gross  shame 
have  they  cast  upon  the  word  of  the  Lord  ;  what  great  abomi- 
nations have  they  committed  under  the  appearance  of  good — 
and  how  have  they  made  the  poor  blind  magistrates,  who  are 
destitute  of  a  correct  understanding  of  the  holy  scriptures,  to 
be  guilty  of  innocent  blood. 

1  believe  it  is  time  you  should  see  and  learn  to  know  your 
faithless,  lying  iind  deceiving  prophets.  They  are  the  foxes 
which  destroy  the  Lord's  vineyard.  (Cant.  2.)  These  are  the 
thieves  and  murderers  of  your  souls,  (John  10,)  false  prophets 
who  deny  the  Lord  that  bought  them,  (2  Pet.  2;  Jude,)  and 
have  directed  you,  poor  erring  sheep,  by  their  own  lying  vis- 
ions and  dreams  and  thoughts  of  their  hearts,  and  have  led 
you  against  all  the  scriptures  upon  a  false  and  loose  ground. 

How  like  you  are  to  those  of  whom  it  stands  recorded  by 
Eusebius,  that  they  walked  according  to  their  lusts,  as  the 
prophets  foretold  ;  they  denied  Paul  and  the  New  Testament, 


APPEAL  TO  CORRUPT   SECTS.  1  51 

and  carried  about  them  a  book,  of  wliicli  they  boasted,  that  it 
had  fallen  from  heaven,  and  come  down  to  them  as  a  present ! 

Also,  by  yon,  O  ye  insane,  (bear  with  me  for  it  is  the  truth 
which  I  write, )  the  prophets  are  read  according  to  the  under- 
standing of  the  Jews.  You  say  the  doctrine  of  Christ  and  the 
apostles  is  at  the  present  time  fulfilled  ;  and  pretend  that  there 
is  now  another  dispensation,  &c.,  and  observe  not  that  you 
thereby  deny  the  son  of  God,  and  gainsay  the  whole  scriptures; 
you  comfort  yourselves  with  mere  lies,  as  also  did  disobedient 
Israel  in  their  time. 

Oh,  dear  Lord  !  how  long  shall  these  sore  plagues  endure  ? 
How  long  shall  the  Lord's  name  through  you  be  blasphemed, 
and  his  holy  word  through  you  be  disgraced  ?  Is  it  not  a  griev- 
ous error — a  man-phrenzy,  that  Christ,  the  Son  of  the  living 
God  (who  brought  in  eternal  righteousness,  and  has  reconciled 
heaven  and  earth  by  the  blood  of  his  cross, )  ;with  his  word  of 
truth,  and  with  the  counsels  of  eternal  life,  is  rejected  from 
your  hearts,  which  he  so  dearly  bought,  and  which  should  so 
properly  be  the  dwelling  place  of  Christ ;  and  an  arm  of  sinful 
tlesh,  and  mortal  man  descended  from  Adam,  full  of  all  un- 
righteousness, haughty  speeches,  lies  and  open  deception  is  re- 
ceived by  you  and  adopted  instead. 

Oh,  dear  children  !  what  do  you  do  ?  are  you  so  bewitched 
that  you  have  lost  all  honesty,  reason  and  scripture,  and  are 
become  wholly  blind  ?  May  God  be  merciful  to  you.  Observe 
that  a  letter  of  the  law  of  Moses  could  not  be  changed  till  the 
new  Moses,  Christ  Jesus,  came,  who  was  promised  through  the 
law  and  the  prophets.  If  then  the  letter  of  the  law  was  so 
strong,  effective  and  fimi,  and  in  its  time  unchangeable,  al- 
though given  only  through  a  servant,  and  sealed  by  a  perish- 
able blood,  &c.,  (Exod.  24,)  how  much  more  powerful,  efiect- 
ual,  firm  and  imperishable  is  the  free  law  of  the  spirit,  which 
was  given  through  the  Son  himself,  and  confirmed  by  the  blood 
of  the  eternal  covenant. 

They  who  taught  anything  contrary  to  Moses'  doctrine  were 
false  prophets,  for  nothing  Avas  to  be  taken  from,  nor  added 
thereto,  but  all  appeals  were  to  the  law  and  the  testimony, 
(Deut,  4,  12  ;  Isa.  8 ;)  so  all  the  prophets  of  the  present  day  are 
false  who  teach  contrary  to  the  spirit,  word,  commands,  pro- 
hibitions, ordinances  and  example  of  Christ,  even  though  such 
should  exhibit  themselves  in  appearance,  as  holier  than  John, 
more  zealous  than  Elias,  and  more  miraculous  than  Moses. 

They  persuade  you  that  the  apostle's  doctrine  is  imperfect, 
(2  Cor.  13,)  and  that  they  now  teach  the  perfect  thing  !  This 
is  a  deception  of  deceptions,  (as  above  said,^  for  thereby  the' 
creature  is  honored  more  thanjthe  Creator.  Paul  does  not  refer 
to  any  better  doctrine  or  ^fierfection  other  than  that  which  is 


153  APPEAL  TO  COKliUPT  SECTS. 

shev/11  by  the  doctrine  of  the  apostles,  which  will  abide  in  ever- 
lasting clearness,  according  to  God's  infallible  word,  and  which 
we  shall  receive  in  the  resurrection  of  the  righteous,  when  all 
doctrine  shall  receive  an  end.  This  is  true,  otherwise  Paul  is 
at  variance  with  himself,  and  true  reality  is  not  to  be  found  in 
Christ. 

Will  you  say,  then,  with  the  Scribes  and  Jews,  that  Elias  is 
to  come  before  the  great  and  terrible  day,  and  so  wait  for  some- 
thing new  ? 

I  answer  with  Christ's  own  words,  that  all  the  prophets  and 
the  law  prophesied  till  John,  and  if  ye  will  receive  it,  this  is 
Elias  which  was  to  come,  (Matt.  11,  17.) 

Again  :  Even  though  Elias  himself  were  to  come  he  dare  not 
teach  any  thing  against  the  foundation  and  doctrine  of  Christ 
and  the  apostles,  but  he  must,  if  he  would  preach  aright,  teach 
and  preach  conformably  to  the  same,  for,  by  the  spirit,  word, 
actions  and  example  of  Christ,  all  must  be  judged,  and  receive 
the  last  sentence,  otherwise  the  whole  scriptures  are  false. 

Therefore,  it  will  follow  that  we  have  no  Elias  more  to  wait 
for,  since  John  was  he  who  was  to  come  ;  or  if  he  should  come 
he  must  teach  us  nothing  but  the  foundation,  doctrine,  and 
word  of  Christ,  according  to  the  scriptures  ;  for  Christ  is  the 
man  who  sits  upon  David's  throne,  and  shall  reign  forever  in 
Jacob's  kingdom,  house  and  congregation.     (Luke  1.) 

I  would  have  you  all  sincerely  admonished  that  you  would 
rightly  weigh  and  prove  all  spirit,  doctrine,  faith  and  conduct, 
with  the  spirit,  conduct  and  doctrine  of  Christ,  and  that  ye  be 
prudent.  All  spirits  which  therewith  accord,  are  from  God, 
but  those  which  are  contrary  are  from  him  who  has  turned 
Adam  and  his  race  aside  from  God,  and  from  the  beginning 
has  led  them  by  lies  onward  to  death. 

If  you  will  not  hear,  but  will  ever  turn  your  ears  to  lies,  and 
believe  the  deceiving  creature  more  than  the  infallible  Creator, 
if  you  set  your  feet  upon  slippery  places  ;  if  you  neither  fear 
nor  regard  scripture,  admonitions  nor  the  arm  and  power  of 
God,  but  reject  and  set  aside  all  as  idle  and  useless,  and  suffer 
yourselves  always  to  be  comforted  with  falsehoods,  visions, 
dreams,,  splendid  delusions  and  false  interpretations  and  to 
continue  on  the  broad  way,  then  will  the  righteous  Lord  send 
to  you  mockers  and  deceivers,  and  by  his  righteous  judgment 
suffer  you  to  be  led  from  one  ungodly  course  to  another,  as 
may  already  be  seen.     (2  Tim.  4  ;  2  Thes.  2.) 

You  shall  be  satiated  with  lies,  vanity,  folly  and  hypocrisy. 
You  will  reap  the  fruits  of  your  wantonness,  and  at  last,  with 
all  false  prophets  and  lying  wonder  workers,  you  shall  hear  the 
words  :  Depart  from  me  all  ye  workers  of  iniquity,  for  I  know 
you  not.     (Matt.  7.) 


TO  THE  BRIDE,  KINGDOM,  STATE  AND  CHURCIT,  &C.         153 

Be  ye  then  eternally  warned  and  admonished  of  God.  Look 
for  yourselves — the  day  approaches,  repent,  reform;  God' sword 
is  true.  Is  there  any  one  among  you  who  fears  God,  let  him 
reflect  on  what  I  here  write ;  search  the  scriptures  and  believe 
the  truth,  for  God  hates  all  liars.  fPs.  5.)  Eternal  wo  and 
gnashing  of  teeth  will  be  the  hypocrite's  portion  and  reward  ; 
whosoever  transgresses  and  abides  not  in  the  doctrine  of  Christ, 
is  without  God.     (2  John  1.) 

O,  ye  miserable,  bewitched  children  !  turn  again.  If  ye  knew 
what  it  was  to  forsake  the  living  fountain  of  Christ,  and  dig 
for  yourselves  dry  wells  which  can  neither  yield  nor  hold  water, 
(Jer.  2,)  how  soon  would  you  turn  you  back  on  the  false  pro- 
phets and  their  hypocritical  lives,  and  surrender  yourselves  to 
the  true  shepherd  of  your  souls,  Christ  Jesus,  and  follow  after 
his  service,  teachings,  warnings,  ordinances  and  holy  example; 
(although  in  weakness,)  but  enchanting  blindness  has,  alas! 
darkened  your  understanding.  The  dear,  merciful  Lord,  be 
pleased  to  grant  you  all,  one  another,  with  eyes  to  see  and 
hearts  to  understand — this  we  heartily  wish  you.     Amen. 


TO  THE  BEIDE,  KINGDOM, 

[UECH  OF  TH] 
AND  PEACE. 


STATE  AND  CHUECH  OF  THE  LOED,  GEACE 


Thus  spake  the  Bridegroom,  Christ  Jesus,  through  Solomon, 
to  the  church :  Kise  up,  my  love,  my  fair  one,  and  come  away, 
for  the  winter  is  past,  the  rain  over  and  gone,  the  flowers  ap- 
pear on  the  earth ;  the  time  of  the  singing  of  birds  is  come, 
and  the  voice  of  the  turtle  dove  is  heard  in  our  land  :  the  fig 
tree  putteth  forth  her  green  figs,  and  the  vines  with  the  tender 
grape  give  a  good  smell,  ^ise,  my  love,  my  fair  one,  and 
come  away.     (Cant.  2.) 

Chosen,  true  children,  you  who  with  me  are  called  to  like 
grace,  inheritance  and  kingdom,  and  are  named  after  the 
Lord's  name,  hear  the  voice  of  Christ,  your  king  ;  hear  the  voice 
of  your  bridegroom,  ah,  thou  bride  of  God — thou  friend  of  the 
Lord,  arise,  and  adorn  thyself,  to  honor  thy  king  and  bride- 
groom. Though  thou  art  pure,  purify  thyself  yet  more,  though 
thou  art  holy,  hallow  thyself  yet  more,  and  though  thou  art 
right,  rectify  thyself  yet  more,  (Rev.  21,)  adorn  thyself  with 
the  v/hite  silken  robe  of  righteousness,  hang  about  thy  neck 

7* 


154  TO  THE  BKIDE,   KINGDOM,    STATE  AND  CHURCH 

the  golden  cliain  of  all  piety,  gird  thyself  with  the  fair  girdle 
of  brotherly  love,  put  on  the  wedding  ring  of  true  faith  ;  gird 
thyself  with  the  precious  fair  gold  of  the  divine  word.  Adorn 
thyself  with  the  pearls  of  all  modesty,  wash  thyself  with  the 
clear  waters  of  grace,  and  anoint  thyself  with  the  oil  of  the 
Holy  Ghost.  Wash  thy  feet  in  the  clear  limped  river  of  Al- 
mighty God;  let  your  whole  body  be  pure  and  clean,  for  thy 
Friend  hates  all  wrinkles  and  spots;  so  will  he  have  pleasure  in 
thy  beauty  and  will  praise,  and  say :  how  fair  are  thy  breasts, 
my  sister,  my  spouse,  thy  breasts  are  lovelier  than  wine,  and 
the  smell  of  thine  ointment  than  all  spices.  Thy  lips,  O  my 
spouse,  drop  as  the  honey-comb:  honey  and  milk  are  under  thy 
tongue.     (Cant.  4.) 

Rejoice,  O  thou  bride  of  the  Lord!  for  your  beloved  is  fairer 
than  all  the  children  of  men,  the  chief  among  ten  thousand, 
his  head  is  as  the  most  fine  gold,  his  locks  are  bushy  and  as 
black  as  a  raven.  His  eyes  are  as  the  eyes  of  doves  by  the 
rivers  of  water,  washed  with  milk  and  fitly  set.  His  cheeks  are 
as  a  bed  of  spices,  as  sweet  as  flowers.  His  lips,  like  lilies, 
dropping  sweet  smelling  myrrh.  His  hands  are  as  gold  rings 
set  with  the  beryl.  His  belly  is  as  bright  ivory,  overlaid  with 
sapphires.  His  legs  are  as  pillars  of  marble,  set  upon  fine  gold. 
His  countenance  is  as  Lebanon,  excellent  as  the  cedars;  his 
mouth  is  sweet,  yea,  he  is  altogether  lovely.  (Cant  5. )  Cry  out 
and  say,  hearken,  O  daughter,  and  consider  and  incline  thine 
ear — forget  thine  own  people  and  thy  father's  house,  so  shall 
the  king  greatly  desire  thy  beauty.     (Ps.  45.) 

Draw  near,  O  thou  queen,  O  thou  well-prepared  and  fairest 
of  all  w^omen,  (Esth.  2,)  bow  thy  neck  with  Esther  under  his 
powerful  sceptre;  hear  his  word  and  fear  his  judgment — ac- 
knowledge his  great  love,  for  he  has  greatly  humbled  himself 
towards  us.  Thy  birth  and  thy  nativity  were  of  the  land  of 
Canaan,  thy  father  was  an  Amorite,  and  thy  mother  was  a 
Hittite.  As  for  thy  nativity,  in  the  day  thou  wast  born  thy 
navel  was  not  cut,  neither  wast  thou  washed  in  water  to  supple 
thee;  thou  wast  not  salt  at  all,  nor  swaddled  at  all,  no  eye 
pitied  thee.  Thou  wast  polluted  in  thy  blood  as  the  prophet 
lamented.  (Ezek.  16.)  But  he  has  pitied  thee,  promised  thee 
life,  nourished  thee  and  clothed  thy  shame,  purified  thee  from 
thy  uncleanness,  wiped  oft'  thy  blood,  aaointed  thee  with 
balsam,  clothed  thee  with  spiritual  clothes;  he  has  adorned  thee 
with  bracelets,  ear-rings,  and  a  beautiful  crown,  and  has  taken 
thee  for  his  bride,  and  made  an  everlasting  covenant  with  thee; 
he  has  fed  thee  with  oil,  honey  and  wheaten  bread — he  has  led 
thee  to  the  chamber  of  his  love,  and  kissed  thee  with  the  mouth 
of  his  peace. 

How  lovely  and  gracious  a  bridegroom  and  king  is  he,  who 


OF  THE  LORD,  GRACE  AND  PEACE.  155 

has  chosen  his  miserable,  impure,  uiiesteemed,  yea,  unchaste 
sei'vant,  to  such  an  exalted  station,  and  has  called  her  to  be 
such  a  glorious  queenj  and  has  spared  no  labor,  pains  nor  costs, 
till  he  has  made  her  the  fairest,  purest,  most  worthy  and 
precious  among  women. 

Arise,  make  haste,  adorn  and  dress  yourselves,  extol  and 
praise  him  who  has  created  you,  and  called  you  to  such  a  high 
honor  through  the  word  of  his  grace. 

The  winter  is  past — the  rain  is  over  and  gone,  the  flowers 
appear  on  the  earth,  and  the  voice  of  the  turtle  dove  is  heard — 
there  is  nothing  more  which  can  harm  or  hinder,  for  hell,  sin, 
the  devil,  death,  the  world,  llesh,  fire  and  sword  are  already 
overcome  by  all  God's  children,  through  Christ!  All  they  know 
is  Christ  Jesus,  their  seeking  is  the  pure  apostolic  doctrine  and 
the  pious,  unblamable  life,  which  is  from  God. 

Praise  be  to  the  Most  High  who  has  silenced  the  falsehoods, 
for  the  truth  sounds  in  every  street.  Antichrist  sinks  to  shame, 
and  Christ  rises  to  honor,  yea,  the  unfruitful,  cold  winter  has 
disappeared,  and  the  fruitful  pleasant  spring  has  come,  the 
lovely  fair  flowers  shoot  forth  and  vegetate  in  every  place ;  the 
voice  of  the  turtle  dove  is  heard.  (Cant.  2.)  The  wholesome 
holy  word,  the  word  of  repentance,  the  word  of  grace  and 
eternal  peace  is  testified  with  word,  Avritiugs,  life  and  death, 
in  many  countries. 

The  fig  tree  putteth  forth  her  green  fig,  and  the  vine  with 
the  tender  grape  gives  a  good  smell;  arise,  my  love,  my  fair 
one,  and  come  away.  (Cant.  2.)  Faith  assumes  verdure,  love 
blooms,  the  sun  softens,  and  the  truth  is  published  and  testified 
which  remained  fruitless  for  so  many  years;  yet  you  must  for 
a  short  time  bear  the  heat  of  the  sun,  so  know  you  yet  well  that 
the  kingdom  of  glory,  in  eternal  joy,  is  promised  and  prepared 
for  you. 

Rejoice  and  watch;  thou  art  black  but  comely,  thou  art  as 
the  tents  of  Kedar,  as  the  curtains  of  Solomon.  Awake,  O 
north  wind,  and  come  thou  south  wind,  bloAv  upon  my  garden, 
that  the  spices  thereof  may  flow  out.  (Cant.  4.)  Fear  not,  little 
flock,  for  it  is  the  Father's  good  pleasure  to  give  you  the  King- 
dom, fLuke  12,)  not  the  perishing  kingdom  of  Assyria,  Media, 
Macedonia,  (Dan,  7,)  nor  of  Rome,  but  the  kingdom  of  the 
saints,  the  kingdom  of  the  great  king,  the  kingdom  of  David, 
(Luke  1,)  the  kingdom  of  grace  and  eternal  peace,  which  shall 
never  more  perish,  but  shall  ?ibide  and  stand  forever;  therefore, 
hear  him  and  be  obedient,  that  you  be  not  thrust  out  with  the 
haughty,  disobedient  Vashti,  (Esth.  12,)  but  with  the  pious 
Esther,  live  in  endless  glory,  before  the'  true  Ahasuerus,  Christ, 
and  abide  with  him  forever. 

Arise,  thou  daughter  of  Zion,  and  observe  what  is  promised 


156       TO  THE  URIDE,  KINGDOM,  STATE  AND  CHURCH,  &C. 

thee,  O  Jerusalem,  altliougli  thou,  as  a  comfortless  one,  sittest 
for  a  while,  and  must  bear  all  manner  of  storms  and  hail,  but 
your  helper  will  arrive  in  time,  who  brings  forth  thy  righteous- 
ness as  the  morning,  and  is  thy  shelter  from  the  wind  and  storm. 
For  he  who  has  loved  thee  has  said  :  Behold,  I  will  lay  thy 
stones  with  fair  colors,  and  lay  thy  foundations  with  sapphires, 
and  I  will  make  thy  windows  of  agates  and  thy  gates  of  car- 
buncles and  all  thy  borders  of  pleasant  stones,  and  all  thy 
children  shall  be  taught  of  the  lord  ;  and  great  shall  be  the  peace 
of  thy  children.  In  righteousness  shalt  thou  be  established  ; 
thou  shalt  be  far  from  oppression.     (Isa.  54.) 

Behold,  thy  wall  stands  finnly  upon  twelve  foundations,  thy 
gates  are  of  pearls,  the  city  is  of  pure  gold,  the  river  of  living 
waters,  proceeding  from  the  throne  of  God  and  the  lamb,  is  in 
the  midst  of  your  way,  and  the  tree  of  life  is  on  either  side,  and 
its  leaves  serve  to  heal  the  nations.  Happy  and  holy  is  he  who 
has  part  in  this  city. 

Therefore,  so  purify  yourselves,  (Deut.  10,)  you  who  seek 
the  Lord,  circumcise  the  foreskin  of  your  hearts,  for  the  holy 
city  may  be  inhabited  by  no  uncircumcised  person,  the  golden 
streets  are  trodden  by  no  unclean  feet ;  the  unclean  drink  not 
of  the  pure  waters,  the  fruit  of  life  shall  never  be  eaten  by  any 
of  the  ungodly,  but  without  are  dogs,  and  sorcerers,  and  whore- 
mongers, and  idolators  and  whosoever  loveth  or  maketh  a  lie. 
(Rev.  23.) 

Be  ye  all  minded  like  Christ  Jesus.  Be  earnest  to  hold  the 
union  of  the  spirit  through  the  covenant  of  peace,  (Rom.  5  ; 
Eph.  4,)  ye  are  all  one  temple,  house,  city,  mountain,  body  and 
church  in  Christ  Jesus. 

"  Place  your  candle  upon  a  candlestick,  build  jouv  city  upon 
a  high  mountain,  live  unblamably,  (Matt.  5  ;  Phil.  1,  2  ;  Deut. 
10  :  Col.  3!;)  behave  in  all  things  consistent  with  Christianity, 
fear  God  in  all  your  ways,  praise  him  in  all  your  works  ;  great 
is  the  grace  which  has  appeared.  (Rom.  16  ;  1  Tim.  6  ;  2  John 
1.)  Prove  yourselves  in  all  things,  as  those  who  are  born  of 
God  ;  shun  all  false  doctrine  ;  repay  not  evil  with  evil,  but  re- 
turn the  evil  with  good ;  pray  without  ceasing;  (Rom.  12;  2 
Thess.  5  ;  Luke  21  ;)  in  patience  possess  your  souls,  judge  all 
your  thoughts,  after  Christ's  thoughts,  your  words  after  Christ's 
words,  and  your  lives  after  Christ's  life,  so  shall  you  in  eter- 
nity never  more  be  deceived." 

Walk  worthily  after  the  calling  whereby  ye  are  called. 
(Eph.  4.)  Let  the  tyrannical,  blaspheming,  upbraiding  and 
flerce  hate  the  Lord  and  his  word;  they  persecute  not  you,  but 
Christ  Jesus*  to  whom  they  are  inimical,  (Rev.  9;)  they  will  be 
judged  in  their  time,  and  (if  they  do  not  repent,)  will  be  re- 
paid again  in  their  own  bosoms. 


CONCLUSION  OR  CLOSE  GiF  THIS  BOOK.  157 

Strive  and  wrestle  valiantly,  in  order  that  the  crown  be  not 
taken  from  you.  Fly  to  the  mountain  of  the  covert  of  Christ 
Jesus — Gird  yourselves  with  the  weapons  of  righteousness,  de- 
clare God's  word  with  freedom;  neither  shrink  nor  give  way. 
God  is  your  conductor — be  faithful  unto  death,  so  shall  you  in- 
herit the  crown  of  life.  (Rev.  3;  Eph.  6;  2  Thess.  5;  Matt.  10  ; 
Mark  8;  Rom.  10;  Rev.  2,  3.) 

Whosoever  overcomes,  will  be  clothed  with  white  clothing, 
and  his  name  shall  not  be  erased  from  the  book  of  life.  Al- 
though we  appear  to  the  unwise  to  die  and  depart  from  the 
right  way,  our  souls  are,  nevertheless,  in  hope  and  peace. 
(Wis.  3.) 

It  is  a  faithful  saying,  (with  Paul,  for  if  we  be  dead  with 
Christ  we  shall  also  live  with  him.  If  we  suffer,  we  shall  also 
reign  with  him.  If  we  deny  him,  he  will  also  deny  us.  (2  Tim. 
2.)  Therefore,  so  fear  your  God  from  the  heart,  watch  and 
pray  and  commend  to  him  your  affairs,  as  Jeremiah  did.  C  Jer. 
11.)  He  has  chosen  you  to  be  his  loving  bride,  children  and 
members,  and  called  you  to  the  kingdom  of  his  grace,  and  the 
inheritance  of  his  glory,  and  has  bought  you  with  the  immacu- 
late blood  of  Christ  Jesus. 

Peace 'be  with  you;  the  spirit,  power  and  grace  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  be  with  all  my  fellow  laborers,  believers,  brethren 
and  sisters,  till  eternal  life.    Amen. 


CONCLUSION  OR  CLOSE  OF  THIS  BOOK. 

Behold,  dear  sirs,  friends  and  brethren,  here  we  have  briefly 
pointed  out  and  declared  upon  what  grounds  and  scriptures  we 
stand  built — what  we  seek  and  have  in  view,  and  how  we  re- 
buke, with  the  Lord's  word,  all  abominable  sects  and  un- 
godliness of  the  whole  world;  both  with  the  greatest  and  the 
smallest,  without  any  respect  of  i)ersons,  and  we  point  out  to 
every  one  the  wholesome,  pure  truth.  This  the  godly  may 
judge.  But  this  I  have  not  done  in  order  that  the  cross  of 
Christ  may  be  avoided — in  no  wise;  for  I  know  and  am  per- 
suaded that  the  lamb  with  the  wolf,  the  dove  with  the  kite,  and 
Christ  with  Belial  can  never  be  at  peace;  the  truth  must  be 
hated;  and  were  it  so,  that  Christ  himself  should  speak  from 
heaven,  still  would  neither  scripture  nor  godliness,  neither 
Christ  nor  apostle,  neither  prophet  nor  saints,  neither  lives  nor 
property  be  regarded  by  men.      All  those  who  rebuke  in  pure, 


158  CONCLUSION  OR  CLOSE  OF  THIS  BOOK. 

upriglit  zeal,  the  haughty,  avaricious,  proud,  idolatrous,  blood- 
thirsty world,  and  who  seek  their  happiness  and  eternal  welfare, 
must  suffer  and  be  oppressed. 

You  must,  (said  Christ,)  be  hated  of  all  men  for  my  name's 
sake,  (Matt.  10,  24;)  through  much  tribulation  must  you  enter 
into  the  kingdom  of  God.  Christ  himself  so  suffered  and  then 
entered  into  his  glory.     (Acts  14  ;  Luke  24.  J 

Therefore,  have  I  done  this,  that  the  precious,  pure  truth 
might  be  revealed — that  here  and  there  some  might  be  won — 
that  the  right  way  may  be  pointed  out  to  the  blind — the  hungry 
fed  with  the  word  of  God — the  erring  directed  to  Christ,  the 
shepherd — the  ignorant  taught — Christ's  kingdom  extended, 
and  his  holy  name  magnified  and  praised  :  this,  together  with 
our  innocence,  shall  be  a  witness  on  the  day  of  judgment  to  all 
blood-thirsty  tyrants,  and  all  deceivers,  false  prophets,  and  all 
hardened  and  impenitent,  that  to  them  the  truth  had  been  tes- 
tified. But  will  ye  not  hear  ?  then  be  your  sins  upon  you :  I 
,  have  declared  unto  you  according  to  my  small  gifts,  God's 
spirit,  word,  foundation,  ordinance  and  will  and  have  pointed 
out  to  you  righteousness.  Whoever  has  ears  to  hear,  let  him 
hear,  and  whoever  has  an  understanding,  let  him  understand. 
(Rev.  2.) 

I  testify  my  Saviour  openly  :  I  acknowledge  him,  and  dis- 
semble not.  If  you  repent  not  and  be  not  born  of  God,  in 
your  spirit,  belief,  life  and  worshij),  and  become  not  one  with 
Christ,  so  is  the  sentence  of  your  condemnation  on  your  poor 
souls  already  finished  and  prepared. 

All  who  teach  you  otherwise  than  we  have  here  taught  and 
testified  to  you,  from  the  scriptures,  betray  you.  This  is  the 
narrow  way  through  which  we  all  must  walk,  and  must  enter 
the  strait  gate,  if  we  would  be  happy.  Here  is  expected  neither 
emperor  nor  king,  neither  duke  nor  count,  neither  knight  nor 
nobleman,  neither  doctor  nor  licentiate,  neither  rich  nor  poor, 
neither  husband  nor  wife.  Whoever  boasts  that  he  is  a  Chris- 
tian, the  same  must  walk  as  Christ  walked.  (1  John  2. )  Who- 
ever has  not  the  spirit  of  Christ  is  none  of  his.  (Rom.  8.) 
Whoever  transgresses  and  abides  not  in  the  doctrine  of  Christ, 
hath  not  God.  (2  John  1.)  Whoever  sins  is  from  the  devil. 
(1  John  3. J)  Here  will  neither  baptism  nor  Lord's  supper 
avail.  These  and  other  scriptures  stand  immovable,  and  judge 
all  those  who  live  out  of  Christ's  spirit  and  word,  and  whose 
thoughts  are  upon  earthly  and  fleshy  things;  they  shall  never 
be  overthrown  nor  weakened  by  angel  nor  devil. 

Will  you  say,  with  refractory  Israel,  we  will  not  hear  the 
word  which  you  have  preached  to  us  in  the  name  of  the  Lord, 
but  we  will  do  as  our  forefathers,  our  kings  and  princes,  have 
done  from  foimer  years  till  the  present  time.  So  I  answer  with 


CONCLUSION  OR  CLOSE  OF  THIS  BOOK.  159 

holy  Jeremiah  and  say  :  Although  you  have  pleasure  in  lies, 
and  do  such  abominations,  so  hath  the  Lord  taken  your  wicked- 
ness to  heart.  (Jer.  44.)  And  has  sent  you  one  hard  punish- 
ment after  another,  as  hunger,  pestilence,  storms,  grief,  misery 
and  the  consuming,  devouring  sword,  that  your  land  is  turned 
to  a  waste — to  amazement  and  a  curse,  as  one  evidently  and 
palpably  may  see  in  many  places,  because  you  perform  strange 
worship,  despise  the  Lord,  your  God,  cast  his  word  aside,  spill 
innocent  blood,  walk  according  to  your  wantonness,  sin  against 
God,  and  walk  not  according  to  his  law,  ordinance  and  com- 
mands, as  the  mouth  of  the  Lord  has  commanded  you. 

Again :  as  the  unprofitable  and  rebellious  world  are  warned 
and  rebuked  against  their  will,  the  prophets  (Jer.  30,  36, )  and 
the  true  servants  of  God  are  judged  and  destroyed  by  the 
princes  and  magistracy,  as  seditious  mutinists,  and  are  perse- 
cuted by  the  priests  and  common  people,  as  deceivers  and  here- 
tics. (Jer.  39.)  Therefore,  our  expectation  is  both  to  teach 
and  to  suffer.  We  judge  rightly,  that  it  will  not  happen  better 
to  us  than  it  did  to  them,  but  we  say  with  Ezekiel :  That  when 
this  shall  come  to  pass,  then  shall  you  find  that  the  undis- 
sembled  pure  word  of  the  Lord  had  been  taught  to  you. 
(Ezek.83.) 

The  merciful,  gracious  father,  through  his  loving  Son,  Christ 
Jesus,  our  Lord,  grant  to  you  all  the  gift  and  grace  of  his  Holy 
Spirit,  that  you  may  hear  and  read  these  our  Christian  labors 
and  service  of  true  love,  with  such  hearts  that  you  may  follow 
after  the  pure,  undissembled  truth,  and  be  eternally  happy. 
Amen. 

Dear,  worthy  lords,  grant  to  your  poor  sei-vants,  that  we  may 
fear  the  Lord  from  the  heart,  and  preach  God's  word  and  do 
aright.  This  we  pray  for  Jesus'  sake.  O  Lord !  Father  of 
all  grace,  open  the  eyes  of  the  blind  that  they  may  see  thy  way, 
word,  truth  and  will,  and  walk  therein  with  faithful  hearts. 
Amen,  amen.  Lord  Jesus. 


OF 


THE  TRUE 
CHRISTIAN    FAITH, 


WHICH  CONVERTS,  CHANGES,  RENEWS, 

MAKES  PIOUS,  UPlilGHT,  PEACEABLE,  JOYFUL.  AND 

BLESSED  THE  HUMAN  HEART: 


WITH  ITS  PROPERTIES,  NATURE,OPERATION  AND  POWERS. 


CAREFULLY   KE-EXAMINED  AND   PRESENTED   MORE  FORMALLY 
IN   THE  YEAR   1556. 


BY    MBNNO    SIMON. 


He  that  believeth  in  me  (said  Christ)  though  he  were  dead,  yet  shall  he 
live.  And  whosoever  liveth  and  believeth  in  me  shall  never  die. — .John  1L 

For  other  foundation  can  no  man  lay  than  that  is  laid,  which  is  Jesus 
Christ.— 1  CoR.  3. 


«  LANCASTER,  PA.: 

PUBLISHED  BY  J.  E.  BAKR  &  CO. 

1869. 


OF  THE  TKUE  CHRISTIAN  FAITH. 

We  wish  all  the  chosen  children  of  Qod,  our  Moved  brethren 
and  sisters  in  Christ,  an  increase  of  faith,  grace,  peace  and 
spiritual  joy,  perfect  righteousness  and  eternal  life,  all  which 
is  of  God,  our  heavenly  Father,  through  Jesus  Christ,  his  only 
begotten  Son,  our  Lord,  who  loved  us,  and  icashed  us  from  our 
sins  in  his  blood — to  him  be  praise,  honor,  glory,  the  kingdom, 
power  and  majesty,  from  eternity  to  eternity.     Amen. 

Chosen,  beloved  children,  brothers  and  sisters  in  Christ 
Jesus,  although,  O  God!  we  are  so  violently  prevented  by  the 
irrational  blind  world  from  preaching  the  true  gospel  of  our 
Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ  to  every  one  verbally;  and  the 
revengeful,  bloodthirsty,  encouraged  by  your  useless,  wicked 
priests  and  preachers,  are  so  imprudently  against  Christ  and 
his  word;  for  they  (the  poor  children)  seek  and  love  rather 
more  the  dross  than  the  gold,  the  chaff  rather  than  the  wheat, 
and  lies  rather  than  truth,  and  darkness  rather  than  light. 
Nevertheless,  God's  eternal,  invincible  truth,  which  always 
triumphs  in  the  true  children  of  God,  through  the  Holy  Ghost, 
will  be  crowned,  notwithstanding  it  has  been  so  miserably  stung 
in  the  heel  by  the  conquered  serpent  and  his  seed,  such  as  the 
proud  despisers,  liars  and  blood-shedders,  and  that  they  with 
much  difficulty  can  be  in  obedience  to  their  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
Notwithstanding  they  do  behave  abominably,  the  envious  bloody 
seed  of  the  serpent,  with  bruised  head,  must  lie  powerless  and 
be  under  their  feet,  as  those  who  are  wholly  overcome  by  the 
power  and  spirit,  with  the  gospel  truth,  in  Christ  Jesus. 

Since,  then,  this  old  crooked  serpent,  which  was  from  the 
beginning  opposed  to  God  in  pride,  and  was  an  arrogant  and 
fierce  murderer,  is  put  under  the  feet  of  Christ  and  his  church, 
and  has  endured  and  seen  his  lying  seed  destroyed  and  trampled 
under  feet,  through  the  revealed  truth,  therefore,  does  he  gnash 
his  teeth  in  furious  rage,  and  breathe  out  his  accursed,  infernal 
breath  of  heresy  through  his  prophets  and  preachers.  He  casts 
out  of  his  mouth  the  ten-ible  streams  of  tyranny  through  the 
rulers  and  powerful  of  the  earth,  after  the  glorious  church, 
(woman)  big  with  the  word  of  the  Lord,  with  a  view  to  exter- 
minate and  destroy  her  seed.     But  God  be  eternally  praised, 


1G4  OP  THE  TRUE  CHEISTIAN  FAITH. 

who  has  protected  her  against  the  red  dragon,  and  has  pre- 
pared her  a  place  in  the  wilderness.     (Rev.  12.) 

Since,  then,  for  reasons  assigned,  I  cannot  teach  publicly, 
nevertheless,  I  will  serve  you  by  writing  as  long  as  the  Lord 
will  permit  me.  I  will  serve  you  with  my  small  talents,  which 
the  gracious  Father  granted  me  through  his  Son,  Christ  Jesus, 
out  of  the  abundant  treasury  of  his  heavenly  riches.  I  say, 
with  Paul  :  Not  with  the  wisdom  of  man,  not  with  words  of 
wisdom,  to  serve  you,  for  I  possess  and  know  them  not.  I  let 
those  seek  them  who  are  eager  after  them.  My  boasting  is, 
with  Paul,  only  to  know  Christ  and  him  crucified ;  for,  to 
know  him  is  eternal  life,  f  John  17.)  Therefore,  God  cannot 
endow  ns  with  better  wisdom  than  with  this,  although  it  is 
foolishness  to  the  world;  for  truth  is  more  precious  than  gold 
and  silver;  than  all  pearls  and  precious  stones;  there  is  nothing 
under  heaven  to  be  compared  to  her;  her  ways  are  ways  of 
pleasantness  and  all  her  paths  are  peace;  she  is  a  tree  of  life 
to  them  that  lay  hold  upon  her;  and  happy  is  every  one  that 
retaineth  her.     (Prov.  3.) 

Yes,  beloved  brothers,  every  one  who  is  thus  rightly  taught 
in  this  wisdom  (for she  is  above  the  wisdom  of  the  saints,) 
may  glory,  by  the  grace  given  him,  over  all  graduated  doctors, 
theologists,  jurists,  orators  and  poets;  even  though  he  could 
neither  write  nor  speak,  and  were  he  the  most  helpless  upon 
earth.  But  all  those  who  are  not  instructed  in  this  wisdom 
from  God,  though  they  were  as  glorious  as  Solomon,  as  victo- 
rious as  Alexander,  as  rich  as  Croesus,  as  strong  as  Hercules, 
as  learned  as  Plato,  as  subtle  as  Aristotle,  as  eloquent  as  De- 
mosthenes and  Cicero,  and  as  well  skilled  in  languages  as  Mith- 
ridates;  yea,  be  so  greatly  experienced  that  his  like  were  not 
to  be  found  from  the  beginning,  nevertheless,  he  is  a  fool  in  the 
eyes  of  the  Lord;  this  must  be  confessed  and  acknowledged. 

"With  this  wisdom,  I  say  so  much  as  the  gracious  Father,  the 
Giver  of  every  perfect  gift,  has  given  me  through  his  Son,  Jesus 
Christ,  I  desire  to  serve  not  only  our  brothers  and  sisters,  but 
the  whole  world,  with  all  my.  heart,  that  all  the  hungry  and 
thirsty  souls  may  be  clothed  from  above,  and  be  satisfied  with 
this  celestial  wisdom,  who  desire  to  live  according  to  the  will 
of  the  Lord — ^those  souls  which  he  created  to  his  honor,  and 
purchased  with  the  blood  of  his  Son — that  they  may  learn  to 
know  God  through  his  Son  and  word,  in  spirit,  who  says:  Let 
not  the  wise  man  glory  in  his  wisdom,  neither  let  the  mighty 
man  glory  in  his  might,  let  not  the  rich  man  glory  in  his  riches; 
but  let  him  that  glorieth,  glory  in  this,  that  he  understandeth 
and  knoweth  me,  that  I  am  the  Lord,  who  exercises  loving 
kindness,  judgment  and  righteousness  in  the  earth;  for  in  these 
things  I  delight,  saith  the  Lord.    (Jer.  9.) 


OP  ME  TRUE  CHRISTIAN  FAITH.  165 

O,  dear  cliildren,  j'^ou  who  are  born  of  the  word  of  the  Lord 
through  the  spmt,  reflect  rightly  on  these  things  in  your  hearts, 
how  incomprehensibly  great  the  heavenly  bounty  and  grace 
are,  which  have  appeared  to  us,  and  have  been  given  us  of  the 
Father,  that  he  bestowed  graciously  upon  us,  grievous  sinners, 
in  our  most  abominable  blindness,  this  glorious  and  divine  gift 
of  his  wisdom.  Yea,  when  we  knew  neither  God  nor  Christ, 
were  strangers  to  the  life  out  of  God,  children  of  wrath  and  of 
eternal  death,  knew  not  the  word  of  peace,  and  strayed  like 
sheep  who  knew  of  no  shepherd,  (Eph.  24;  Matt.  9;  Mark  6,) 
then  he  so  graciously  bestowed  us  this  great  treasure,  the  true 
knowledge  of  the  kingdom  of  God.  (Matt.  23.)  The  treasures 
which  lie  buried  in  the  field,  he  discovered  to  us  by  his  spirit, 
and  made  known  to  us  the  mystery  of  his  good  will,  and  the 
true  regenerating  signification  of  his  holy  gospel,  which  cannot 
be  taught  in  colleges — cannot  be  purchased — is  not  to  be  brought 
from  foreign  lands — nor  can  it  be  merited  by  any  thing.  That 
he  has  opened  to  us  with  the  key  of  his  word  and  spirit,  the 
saving  truth,  and  has  closed  it  to  all  emperors,  kings,  lords, 
princes,  the  wise  and  the  learned — before  the  whole  world. 
(Exod.  30;  Rom.  10.)  That  he  redeemed  us  from  the  power  of 
darkness,  and,  according  to  his  will  and  good  pleasure,  led  us 
into  the  kingdom  of  his  dear  Son  ;  yea,  that  he  made  us  kings 
and  priests,  that  we  are  to  be  a  chosen  and  holy  people — a  peo- 
ple to  serve  him  in  love,  and  to  be  his  own,  (Col.  1;  Num.  19,) 
that  we  are  to  publish  his  power  and  virtue,  because  he  called 
us  out  of  darkness  to  his  marvelous  light,  as  Peter  says  :  O, 
great  grace  and  love  ! 

Most  beloved  brothers,  always  rejoice  in  the  Lord.  Again,  I 
say,  with  Paul,  (Phil.  4, )  rejoice  that  the  great  emperor,  Jesus 
Christ,  who  has  all  power  in  heaven  and  upon  earth,  (Matt.  28,) 
that  he  has  manifested  such  grace  towards  you,  that  he  has 
called  you  to  such  high  honor,  you  who  were  the  reproach  and 
disgi-ace  of  the  whole  world,  that  he  has  made  you  kings  and 
priests.  (Rev.  1,  5.)  Kings,  say  I,  who  have  been  anointed 
with  the  oil  of  grace,  through  the  Holy  Ghost,  crov/ned  with 
the  crown  of  honor,  clothed  with  the  garment  of  righteous- 
ness, and  governed  by  Christ,  your  emperor  ;  not  with  the 
weapons  of  death,  such  as  fire-arms,  spears,  swords,  horses, 
riders  and  servants,  as  the  kings  of  this  world  do,  but  by  the 
invincible  and  eternal  sceptre  of  the  power  of  God,  namely, 
with  the  sharp  sword  of  the  holy  word,  which  will  triumphant- 
ly prevail  by  virtue  of  your  faith,  over  gold,  silver,  cities,  coun- 
tries, lords,  princes,  flesh,  blood,  flags,  banishment,  swords, 
staves,  water,  fire,  hunger,  thirst,  nakedness,  hell,  sin,  law, 
fear,  devil  and  death — you  will  be  perfect  in  life  and  death, 
and  secure  from  all  your  enemies,  both  visible  and  invisible, 


166  OF  THE  TRUE  CHRISTIAN  FAITH. 

who  would  deprive  and  rob  you  of  the  promised  kingdom, 
through  the  instigation  of  the  old  serpent.  The  spiritual  king's 
dominion  and  government  are  spiritual,  therefore,  they  cannot 
be  deadly  hurt  or  conquered  by  tyranny,  false  doctrine,  or  evil 
lusts  ;  for  they  can  do  all  things  through  Christ,  (Phil.  4,)  who 
strengthens  them,  who  also  is  their  helper  and  redeemer,  whose 
shield  and  sword  is  their  glory.   (Deut.  33.) 

You  are  also  priests  ordained  of  God,  not  with  the  oil  of 
Aaron  and  his  sons,  (Num.  28,  39,  30,)  nor  with  the  perishable 
blood  of  oxen  and  sheep  ;  nor  with  the  splendid  garments  of 
gold,  silk  and  precious  stones,  as  the  law  required  ;  but  anoint- 
ed with  the  Holy  Ghost,  with  the  blood  of  Christ,  and  clothed 
with  the  garment  of  righteousness,  ordained  and  called  of  God, 
not  to  slay  the  creatures  daily  and  offer  them  upon  altars,  in- 
temples,  as  Moses  commanded  the  priests  in  the  law,  (Exod. 
29  ;  Num.  28,)  but  you  are  to  slay  living  men,  with  the  sword 
of  the  divine  word,  understand,  spiritually^  together  with  your 
own  refractory  flesh  and  blood,  that  is,  that  you  teach  and  re- 
prove them  and  yourselves  with  the  spirit  and  word  of  the 
Lord,  that  you  and  they  die  to  your  unrighteousness  and  evil 
lusts,  destroy  them,  and  thus  offer  in  your  spiritual  temple  or 
house,  not  made  with  hands  upon  the  only  and  eternal  altar  of 
our  reconcilation,  Jesus  Christ,  (Heb.  9,  13.) 

Besides,  you  are  not  such  priests,  who  of  their  own  righte- 
ousness offer  up  bread  and  wine  for  the  sins  and  transgressions 
of  the  common  people,  and  for  the  souls  of  the  deceased,  neither 
are  you  to  sing  nor  read  mass,  nor  worship  the  golden,  silver, 
wooden  and  stone  images,  nor  serve  nor  burn  incense  to  them 
as  the  poor  ignorant  priests  of  the  world  do;  but  you  are  holy 
priests,  who  purify  and  sanctify  your  own  bodies  daily,  and  in 
time  of  need  voluntarily  offer  them  up  as  a  sweet  smelling  sac- 
rifice, for  the  truth's  sake,  together  with  your  ardent  prayers 
and  joyful  thanksgiving,  out  of  a  believing,  converted,  pure 
heart;  for  such  offerings  are  well  pleasing  to  the  Lord.  (Ps. 
51;  Heb.  13.) 

Would  to  God,  that  all  who  are  called  priests,  were  changed 
into  such  priests,  ah !  how  much  innocent  blood  would  be 
spared,  how  gloriously  the  truth  would  be  spread,  and  what  a 
fine  Christian  world  this  would  be  ! 

Say,  beloved  brothers  :  who  can  fully  comprehend  this  grace, 
or  relate  these  benefits?  Again,  I  say,  we  all  like  sheep  had 
gone  astray,  we  turned  every  one  to  his  own  way,  we  were  as 
sheep  without  a  shepherd,  we  walked  according  to  the  lusts  of 
our  evil  flesh,  even  as  they  all  do,  who  know  not  the  way  of  the 
Father;  we  were  unbelievers  in  divine  things,  blind  and  with- 
out understanding,  full  of  bruises  and  putrefying  sores  from  the 
sole  of  the  foot  to  the  head,  (Isa.  53 ;  1  Pet.  2  ;  Eph.   2  ;  Tit. 


OF  THE  TRUE  CHRISTIAN   FAITH.  167 

3  ;  Isa.  1,)  and  by  nature  cliildren  of  wrath  like  other.  (Eph. 
2. )  But  the  Lord  be  blessed,  now  we  are  washed,  now  we  are 
sanctified,  now  we  are  justified  in  the  name  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  and  through  the  spirit  of  our  God  ;  (1  Cor.  6;)  in  short, 
we  are  converted  to  the  true  shepherd  and  preserver  of  our 
souls,  Jesus  Christ,  (1  Pet.  2,)  who  pastures  us  now  in  the  rich 
pastures  of  his  truth,  (Ezek.  34,)  feeds  us  with  the  bread  of  his 
word,  (Matt.  4  ;  John  6,)  sustains  us  by  the  tree  of  life.  (Prov. 
5,)  and  refreshes  us  with  the  water  of  his  spirit.  (John  7.) 
Again,  I  say,  who  can  comprehend  and  relate  this  grace  ? 

Besides  this,  when  we  were  yet  ungodly  and  enemies,  he  did 
not  punish  us  as  he  did  the  angels  which  sinned,  (2  Pet.  2  ; 
Jude  1,)  nor  like  the  first  depraved  world,  (Gem  6,  7,  8,)  nor 
like  Sodom  and  Gomorrah,  (Gen.  19  ;  Ezek.  16,)  nor  like  those 
who  worshipped  the  calf,  (Exod.  32, )  nor  like  those  in  the  day 
of  provocation,  (Num.  21,)  nor  like  the  seditious  and  adulter- 
ers, (Num.  16,  25,)  nor  like  those  in  the  wilderness,  who  acted 
contrary  to  his  will  and  word,  (1  Cor.  10,)  for  he  destroyed  all 
of  them  ;  but  he  saved  us  through  his  great  mercy,  led  us  by 
his  right  hand,  and  drew  us  by  his  goodness,  renewed  us  by  his 
word,  and  begat  us  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  enUghtened  us  by 
the  clear  light  of  his  truth ;  that  we  by  his  grace  renounced  the 
world,  flesh,  devil  and  all  manner  of  evil,  willingly  entered 
upon  the  path  of  peace  and  submitted  to  the  easy  yoke  of  his 
gospel.     It  appears  to  me  this  may  properly  be  called  grace. 

Most  beloved  children,  take  heed.  Since  then  the  gracious 
Father  dealt  so  marvellously  with  us  according  to  his  great 
mercy,  and  manifested  his  love  toward  us  without  our  merits, 
it  is  right,  natural  and  becoming  that  we  also  love,  fear  and 
praise  such  a  benevolent  Lord  and  merciful  Father,  with  all  our 
powers ;  and  serve  him,  and  be  obedient  to  him  in  all  our 
weakness. 

Since  then,  I  say,  he  has  manifested  toward  us  afflicted  sin- 
ners, such  unspeakable  love  and  grace,  as  said  ;  which  love  and 
grace  cannot  be  rightly  seen  and  understood,  with  the  blind 
eyes  and  the  ignorant  reason  of  the  flesh,  but  must  be  seen  and 
understood  with  the  inward  eyes  of  the  mind,  and  through  the 
unction  of  the  Holy  Ghost ;  that  is,  with  a  sincere,  sure,  im- 
movable, confident,  vigorous,  unfeigned  and  pure  faith,  such  as 
the  scriptures  teach. 

Seeing  then  that  this  must  be  done  with  unfeigned  faith,  as 
related,  and  which  is  plainly  found  in  the  word  of  the  Lord,  as 
is  set  forth  in  true  Christianity,  such  as  regeneration,  or  a  new 
creature,  true  repentapce,  dying  to  sin,  a  new  life,  righteous- 
ness, obedience,  salvation  and  eternal  life,  in  a  sincere,  active 
faith,  as  mentioned  and  set  forth  in  all  the  scriptures,  (John  1, 
17  ;  Mark  16  ;  Rom.  3,  4,  5  ;  Gal.  3,  5  ;  Heb.  11,)  and  as  may 


168  OP  THE  TRUE  CHRISTIAN   FAITH. 

be  read  and  seen  in  many  other  passages,  I  have  resolved  by 
the  grace  of  God,  thoroughly  to  instruct  all  the  lovers  of  eter- 
nal truth,  with  the  divine  testimony  out  of  the  word  of  the 
Lord,  which  is  the  right  faith,  acceptable  to  God,  and  has  the 
promise  in  the  scriptures  ;  namely,  which  has  energy,  power, 
and  effect,  agreeing  with  the  gospel  of  Christ  and  the  doctrines 
of  the  apostles.  In  order  that  all  those  who  see,  read  or  hear 
our  writings,  may  thoroughly  and  understandingly  know  that 
the  faith  of  this  world  is  vain  and  dead,  and  is  eternally  cursed 
of  God,  for  its  fruits  are  vain  hypocrisy,  commands  of  men, 
idolatry  and  false  service .  It  regenerates  none,  it  is  earthly 
and  sensually-minded,  hating  and  persecuting  the  truth,  for 
this  faith  knows  neither  Christ  nor  his  word  as  may  be  evident- 
ly seen  through  the  whole  world.  God  knows  of  no  other  faith 
than  that  which  has  power  and  fruit,  regenerates  the  heart, 
converts  and  renews,  as  the  scriptures  say  :  The  just  shall  live 
by  faith,  (Heb.  10  ;  Hab.  2 ;  Rom.  1  ;  Gal.  3.) 

It  is  all  in  vain  to  boast  of  faith  where  the  godly,  new  fruits 
and  works  of  faith  are  not.     (James  4.) 

I,  therefore,  exhort  all  my  god-fearing  readers  in  the  Lord, 
and  entreat  all,  that  they  would  take  those  things  to  heart,  for 
our  holy  and  Christian  faith  is  not  a  dead  and  cold  speculation, 
.  as  the  world  thinks,  nor  is  it  only  eloquent  boasting,  as  we  find 
it  among  the  gi-eat  and  tolerated  sects  ;  but  it  is  an  active  gift 
and  grace  of  God,  a  heavenly  living  motion  in  a  melted,  open 
heart  and  conscience,  firmly  iDclieves  and  lays  hold  upon,  and 
acknowledges  the  whole  word  of  God,  (the  threatening  law,  as 
well  as  the  consoling  gospel, )  to  be  right  and  true,  whereby  the 
heart  is  moved  and  penetrated  through  the  Holy  Ghost  with  a 
peculiar  regenerative,  renewing,  vivifying  power,  and  it  first 
produces  the  fear  of  Grod,  for  it  knows  the  Lord's  judgment  and 
wrath  over  all  transgressions  and  sins  which  are  committed 
against  his  will  and  word  ;  he  dreads  and  fears,  and  is  aston- 
ished before  God,  and  therefore  he  dares  not  to  do  any  thing, 
counsel  or  consent  to,  other  than  he  knows  to  be  right  by  the 
spirit  through  the  word :  he  dares  not  do  that  which  God  hates 
and  forbids  in  his  word. 

This  faith  produces  the  love  of  God  whereby  we  love  him  ; 
for  we  are  assured  by  the  holy  scriptures,  if  rightly  understood 
in  spirit,  of  the  unsearchably  great  riches  of  grace  with  which 
the  merciful  and  gracious  Father  has  endowed  us  through  his 
Son  Jesus  Christ;  and  therefore  does  he  love  his  kind  God,  being 
awakened  through  the  manifested  bounties  of  the  aforesaid 
grace,  and  he  is  thus  voluntarily  urged  through  the  operating 
power  of  his  love,  (resulting  from  such  a  true  faith,)  to  the 
obedience  of  all  the  commands  of  God,  even  as  Christ  says  :  If 
any  man  love  me,  he  will  keep  my  commandments,  (John  14. ) 


OP  THE  TRUE  CHBISTIAN  FAITH.  169 

Behold,  this  is  the  faith  of  which  we  have  to  treat  in  the 
following  writings.  For  it  is  the  only  faith  which  has  the  pro- 
mise in  scripture  of  salvation  and  eternal  life,  through  Christ, 
God's  first  and  only  begotten  Son.  To  him  be  praise,  honor 
and  glory,  from  eternity  to  eternity.  Amen. 

We  find  that  if  any  one  wishes  to  build  a  good  house,  or  high 
and  permanent  tower,  that  first  a  solid  foundation  is  laid,  so 
that  it  will  sustain  the  heavy  superstructure,  that  the  work  be- 
gun at  such  ^reat  expense  does  not  fall  into  ruins.  And  thus 
it  must  be  with  true  Christians  ;  they  must  also  lay  a  certain 
and  true  foundation  in  their  hearts,  that  they  may  stand  in 
building  up  their  faith  against  all  the  raging  tempests,  rains 
and  floods,  (Matt.  7,)  which  will  not  try  them  a  little,  so  that 
they  may  stand  immovable,  that  they  may,  by  the  help  of  the 
Lord,  successfully  accomplish  the  work  and  building  which  they 
have  begun  so  that|  they  do  not  with  everlasting  shame,  and  to 
the  injury  of  their  souls,  depart  from  the  true  path,  (Luke  14.) 
For  if  any  man  draw  back,  says  Paul,  the  Lord  shall  have  no 
pleasure  in  him,  (Heb.  10.) 

Faithful  brethren,  take  heed  to  this  precious  and  only  well 
adapted  corner-stone,  ground  and  foundation  in  Zion,  prepared 
for  us  by  the  Father,  upon  which  we  have  to  build  the  edifice 
of  our  faith,  upon  Jesus  Christ,  (Isa.  28  ;  Rom.  9,  10  ;  1  Cor. 
3;  Eph.  2;  1  Pet.  2.)  All  who  are  founded  upon  this  ground 
will  not  be  consumed  by  the  fire  of  tribulation  ;  for  they  are 
living  stones  in  the  temple  of  the  Lord,  they  are  like  gold,  sil- 
ver and  precious  stones,  (1  Cor.  3,)  and  cannot  eternally  be  pre- 
vailed against  by  the  gates  of  hell,  such  as  false  doctrine,  flesh, 
blood,  world,  sin,  devil,  water,  fire,  sword,  or  by  any  other 
means,  if  ever  so  sorely  tried ;  for  they  are  founded  upon 
Christ,  confirmed  in  the  faith  and  assured  in  the  word  through 
the  Holy  Ghost  thab  they  are  not  to  be  turned  away  from  the 
pure  and  wholesome  doctrine  of  Christ  by  all  the  furious  and 
bloody  Neros  under  the  heavens,  with  all  their  cruel  tyranny; 
they  are  not  to  be  diverted  from  an  unblamable  and  pious  life, 
which  is  of  God,  as  we  have  seen  in  many  places  for  more  than 
twenty  years  past ;  for  they  are  as  immovable  as  Mount  Zion, 
as  firm  pillars,  brave  soldiers,  and  as  pious,  valiant  witnesses 
of  Christ,  have  fought  till  death,  and  do  daily  fight  for  the 
word  and  truth  of  the  Lord,  God  be  eternally  praised.  I  speak 
of  those  who  have  the  spirit  and  word  of  the  Lord. 

Yea,  that  stone  lies  firm  in  their  hearts,  and  is  so  sealed  by 
faith  in  them,  that  in  their  greatest  need  they  regard  neither 
father  nor  mother,  wife  nor  child,  money  nor  possessions,  life 
nor  death  :  for  they  are  so  constrained  by  veneration  of  God  in 
their  hearts,  because  Christ  says  :  He  that  confesses  me  not  be- 
fore men,  I  will  not  confess  him  before  my  Father  ;  but  he  that 


170  OF  THE  TRUE  CHRISTIAN   FAITH. 

confesses  me  him  will  I  again  confess,  &c.  (Matt.  10  ;  Mark  8; 
Luke  12  ;)  that  they  are  not  allowed  to  speak  a  false  word,  even 
to  escape  the  hands  of  the  blood-thirsty  and  the  dangers  of 
death  ;  as  may  be  seen. 

But  1  fear  greatly,  and  indeed  it  is  to  be  found  so,  that  the 
greater  part  calling  these  innocent  lambs  accursed  heretics, 
catch  them>-as  rats,  banish  and  deprive  them  of  life  and  posses- 
sions ;  they  are  not  ashamed  nor  afraid  of  God,  who  hates  all 
lies,  (Ps.  5  ;  Rev.  21,  22  ;)  for  the  sake  of  a  stiver  to  use  yea 
for  nay,  and  nay  for  yea,  boast  themselves  Christians,  and  are 
called  after  his  name.  If  they  are  such  liars  and  so  unfaithful 
in  small  things,  what  will  they  do  in  greater  things,  if  life  and 
blood  be  required,  may  be  readily  imagined. 

O,  reader,  do  reflect.  If  the  old  crooked  Serpent,  with  all  his 
deception,  falsehood  and  lies,  lived  in  the  Christian  hearts,  as 
is  the  case  with  their  persecutors,  their  goods  would  not  be 
plundered  and  their  blood  would  not  be  shed.  And  they  would 
not  only  conceal  the  truth,  but  they  would  with  air  the  children 
of  the  devil  hate  and  oppose  it.  All  who  are  born  of  the  truth 
hate  lies.  Again,  all  who  are  born  of  lies,  hate  the  truth.  If 
they  hate  the  truth,  how  can  they  speak  it  ?  Especially  when 
life  and  possessions  are  at  stake.  If  our  rulers  and  judges  wish 
to  be  assured  of  this  difference,  let  them  call  some  of  their  evil 
doers  before  the  judgment  seat  who  are  guilty  of  death,  and 
examine  them  in  relation  to  things  whereof  they  are  accused, 
(but  without  punishing  them, )  what  does  it  avail  though  they 
would  freely  confess  their  guilt,  for  which  they  are  to  die,  as 
these  innccent  children  do  in  their  faith?  Yea,  what  is  more, 
let  your  most  high  renowned  monks,  in  their  profession,  caps, 
&c.,  your  most  accomplished  priests  in  their  terms  and  masses, 
be  as  severely  tested  as  you  do  these  in  their  faith  ;  then  we 
will  see  what  will  become  of  all  their  professions,  caps,  terms 
and  masses.  But  the  common  proverb  is  :  The  wolf  escapes, 
but  the  lamb  has  to  suffer. 

Since  then,  I  say,  all  those  who  are  born  of  the  truth,  .and 
have  Christ  and  his  truth  dwelling  in  their  hearts,  in  such  we 
find  nothing  but  the  simple,  plain  truth  of  Christ,  by  which  they 
are  born  unto  righteousness,  are  converted  and  changed  in  heart, 
and  it  is  equally  evident,  by  their  pious  and  unblamable  life,  that 
your  lying,  adulterous,  lewd,  idolatrous,  drunken  priests  and 
monks  belie  them  and  persecute  them  before  the  whole  world — 
(those  who  openly  rob  God  of  his  glory,  and  maliciously  murder 
those  whom  Christ  purchased  with  his  precious  blood, )  and  be- 
tray them,  to  bring  them  into  the  stocks  and  to  the  stake;  and 
this  they  do  for  no  other -reason  only  because  that  the  believers, 
through  the  revealed  truth,  with  faith  in  their  hearts,  are  urged 
by  the  spirit  and  fear  of  the  Lord  to  renounce  their  leaven, 


6f  the  true  christian  faith.  Iti 

vain,  false  doctrine  and  idolatrous  sacraments,  and  with  all 
their  hearts "  to  live  according  to  the  will  of  God.  O  Lord ! 
thus  they  live  and  deal  with  those  who  seek  and  fear  Thee  with 
all  their  hearts. 

Say,  beloved  lords,  when  shall  this  cruel,  disgraceful  murder- 
ing, bloody  seed,  be  prevented  by  you  from  continuing  in  their 
Judas  like  conduct?  When  will  you  turn  your  backs  to  their 
deceiving  lies,  and  turn  your  faces  to  Christ  ?  When  shall  your 
deadly  and  avenging  sword  be  wiped  from  its  blood  and  again 
be  put  into  the  sheath  ?  When  will  you  hear  and  fear  God,  more 
than  you  do  lords  and  princes  ?  When  shall  the  abominations 
of  Antichrist  be  rooted  out  of  your  heart,  and  instead  thereof 
plant  the  doctrine  of  Christ  therein  ?  Wlaen  will  you  be  satis- 
fied with  pious  and  unblamable  lives,  and  be  satiated  with  the 
blood  of  innocent  saints  ?  When  shall  Christ  Jesus,  with  his 
word,  spirit  and  life,  through  faith,  be  conceived  in  you,  and  in 
deed  be  born  in  you  ?  I  fear  never.  For  you  are  earthly  and 
sensually  minded,  the  eyes  of  your  understanding  are  darkened 
that  you  desire  the  world  rather  than  heaven  ;  lies  rather  than 
truth  ;  sin  rather  than  righteousness  ;  the  honor  and  praise  of 
man  rather  than  the  honor  and  praise  of  God. 

Yes,  beloved  lords,  why  say  much  ?  With  you  it  is  the  same 
as  with  the  priests  and  preachers,  who,  through  the  instruction . 
of  scripture,  know  the  truth  in  part  ;  but  since  they  love  their 
cross-fleeing  body  more  than  God,  they  preach  only  so  far  as 
the  mandates  and  resolutions  of  the  princes  permit  and  suffer, 
so  that  they  do  not  incur  the  displeasure  of  the  world,  and  be 
deprived  of  their  worldly  honor  and  their  easy  life.  It  is  the 
same  case  with  you,  my  dear  lords.  Though  many  of  you  know 
that  the  teaching,  ceremonies,  divine  service  and  life  of  your 
priests  and  preachers  are  untrue,  deceiving,  idolatrous,  false 
and  carnal,  and  that  ours  are  the  doctrine  and  ceremonies  of 
the  Lord,  according  to  scripture.  But,  in  order  to  retain  the 
friendship  of  the  emperor  and  your  incomes,  (I  mean  you  who 
are  guilty  of  blood,)  sooner  will  Christ  Jesus,  with  his  innocent 
lambs,  without  any  mercy,  fif  the  mandates  be  enforced,)  have 
to  endure  cruelty  and  shame,  as  the  ring-leaders,  knaves  and 
rogues,  be  taken  by  you,  exiled,  robbed  and  slain.  And  then 
you  say:  The  emperor's  mandates,  and  not  we,  judge  you. 

Beloved  lords,  beware ;  the  hour  is  fast  approaching  that  the 
almighty,  the  great,  and  terrible  God,  the  impartial,  righteous 
judge,  will  judge  and  sentence  all  our  doings  ;  then  you  will 
see  too  late  whom  you  have  persecuted  and  stabbed.  There- 
fore, awaken  in  time,  fear  God  and  repent,  while  it  is  yet  called 
to-day.     (Rev.  1.) 

I  entreat  you,  my  reader,  be  not  displeased  that  I  have  di- 
gressed so  far;  for  it  was  not  without  cause.    But  now  we 


172  THE  PAPISTIC  BELIEF." 

will  continue  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  in  the  thing  we  have 
undertaken,  and  treat  and  teach  as  much  of  it  as  the  merciful 
Father  will  grant  us  grace  and  aid  thereto,  that  we  may  rightly 
show  to  all  the  god-fearing  who  seek  the  truth,  the  difference 
between  faith  and  unbelief,  the  fruits  of  faith  and  of  unbelief, 
and  that  they  may  grow  up  in  the  true  Christian  faith,  until  the 
gracious  Father,  out  of  his  abundance  of  glory,  makes  them 
strong  in  the  inner  man,  by  power,  through  the  spirit,  and  till 
Christ  dwell  in  their  hearts,  through  faith,  that  they  may  be 
rooted  and  grounded  in  love,  may  be  able  to  comprehend,  with 
all  saints,  what  is  the  breadth  and  length  and  depth  and  height, 
and  to  know  the  love  of  Christ,  which  passes  knowledge,  and 
be  filled  with  all  the  fullness  of  God.  (Eph.  3.)  And  besides, 
that  they  may  know  that  it  is  all  hatred  and  lying  which  the 
scribes  teach  and  cast  up  touching  our  faith  concerning  the 
sword,  sedition,  polygamy,  &c.  I  speak  of  that  which  I  and 
my  beloved  brothers  preach  and  teach,  verbally  or  by  writing, 
publicly  or  privately,  to  all  the  well  disposed. 

Cordially  beloved  brothers,  if  we  can  rightly  see  with  spiritual 
eyes  into  the  impure,  abominable  doctrine  and  faith,  with  all 
the  abominable  unbelief  and  blind  evil  life,  resulting  from  such 
abominable  doctrine  of  those  who  boast  themselves  Christians, 
then  we  may  with  propriety  be  astonished  at  the  great  blind- 
ness and  grievous  error  ;  yea,  be  grieved  to  death.  No  matter 
how  cruel  and  rude  so  ever,  it  must  be  called  the  holy  Christian 
faith.    O  God  ! 


THE  PAPISTIC  BELIEF. 

It  is  true  that  papists  teach  and  believe  that  Jesus  Christ  is 
the  Son  of  God,  that  he  offered  up  his  flesh  and  shed  his  blood 
for  us,  but  with  this  difference:  if  we  would  enjoy  it,  and  be 
partakers  thereof,  we  have  to  adhere  to  the  pope  and  his 
church,  and  be  obedient,  hear  mass,  receive  the  holy  water, 
perform  pilgrimages,  call  upon  the  mother  of  the  Lord  and  the 
departed  saints,  to  confess  at  least  twice  a  year,  receive  papistic 
absolution,  have  children  bairtized,  commemorate  the  holy  days. 
The  priests  have  to  vow  chastity;  the  bread  in  the  mass  must 
be  called  the  flesh,  and  the  wine  the  blood  of  Christ — besides 
all  their  other  idolatry  and  abominations  which  are  daily  pi-ac- 
ticed  by  them. 

And  all  this  is  called,  by  the  ignorant,  the  most  holy  Christian 


I 


OP  THE  LUTHERAN  BELIEF.  173 

faith,  and  the  institution  of  the  holy  Christian  church — although 
it  is  nothing  but  mere  human  opinion,  self-chosen  righteousness, 
deceiving  hypocrisy,  manifest  deceiving  of  the  soul,  ungodly, 
indecent  bodily  nourishment  and  gain  of  lazy  priests,  an  ac- 
cursed idolatry,  an  incensing  of  God,  a  disgraceful  blasphemy, 
an  unworthy  dispising  of  the  blood  of  Christ,  a  self-devised 
undertaking,  a  disobedient  contumacy  to  the  divine  word — in 
short,  a  false,  offensive  divine  service  and  open  idolatry,  of 
which  Jesus  Christ  (to  whom  the  Father  points  us)  has  not  left 
or  commanded  us  a  single  letter  of  all  these  things.  (Matt.  17; 
Mark  19.) 

And  it  does  not  suffice  that  they  practice  such  abominations; 
but  they  not  only  also  despise  as  useless  all  true  fruits  of  faith, 
(commanded  of  God  himself,)  the  sincere  and  pure  love  and 
fear  of  God,  the  love  and  service  of  our  neighbor,  the  true 
sacraments  and  divine  service,  &c.,  but  also  revile  it  as  here- 
tical, exterminate  and  persecute.  I  think  this  may  properly 
be  called  a  sect. 


OF  THE  LUTHEEAN  BELIEF. 

The  Lutherans  teach  and  believe  that  we  are  alone  saved 
by  faith,  without  any  works.  They  insist  upon  it  so  inflexibly, 
as  if  works  were  not  at  all  necessary;  yea,  th?it  faith  is  of  such 
a  property  and  nature  that  no  work  can  be  suffered  or  allowed 
beside  it.  And,  therefore,  had  the  highly  imjDortant  and  zealous 
epistle  of  James,  (because  he  reproves  such  a  frivolous,  vain 
doctrine  and  faith)  to  be  esteemed  and  considered  as  straw.  O 
presumption!  Is  the  doctrine  straw,  then  must  also  the  chosen 
apostle,  the  faithful  servant  and  witness  of  Christ,  who  wrote 
and  taught,  have  been  a  man  of  straw — this  is  as  clear  as  the 
meridian  sun.  For  the  doctrine  shows  how  the  man  was.  (Mark 
12;  Luke  7.; 

Let  every  one  take  heed  how  and  what  he  teaches ;  for  with 
this  rude  doctrine  they  have  led  the  rude  and  ignorant,  great 
and  small,  citizens  and  the  common  people,  into  such  a  fruitless 
wild  life,  and  have  left  them  so  much  liberty,  that  we  would 
scarcely  find  such  an  ungodly  and  abominable  life  among  the 
Turks  and  Tartars  as  Ave  see  among  them.  Their  open  deeds 
bear  testimony;  for  the  luxurious  eating  and  drinking,  the 
superfluity  and  wantonness,  whoring,  lying,  cheating,  cursing, 
swearing  by  the  wounds  of  the  Lord,  sacraments  and  suffer- 


174  OP  THE  LUTHERAN  BELIEF.  . 

ings,  shedding  of  blood,  striking  and  quarreling,  &c.,  which 
obtain  among  many  of  them,  and,  alas,  have  neither  measure 
nor  end.  Both  the  teachers  and  hearers  are  the  same  in  many 
carnal  things,  as  may  be  seen.  For  what  I  well  know  that  I 
wi'ite,  and  what  I  myself  have  heard  and  seen  I  testify,  and  I 
know  that  I  testify  the  truth. 

If  any  one  can  simply  say  with  them:  Ah!  what  dishonest 
knaves  and  villains  are  these  desperate  priests  and  monks, 
they  wish  them  the  venereal  or  some  other  disease.  The 
ungodly  pope  with  his  shorn  crew,  say  they,  have  deceived  us 
long  enough  with  purgatory,  confession  and  fasting.  We  now 
eat  as  we  have  hunger;  fish  or  flesh,  as  we  desire:  for  every 
creature  of  God  is  good,  says  Paul,  and  is  not  to  be  rejected. 
But  what  follows  they  do  not  want  to  understand  or  know; 
namely,  to  the  believing,  who  know  the  truth  and  enjoy  it  with 
thanksgiving.  They  further  say :  How  shamefully  they  deceived 
us  poor  people,  that  they  have  robbed  us  of  the  blood  of  the 
Lord,  and  directed  us  to  their  mummery  and  to  their  enchanting 
works.  But  God  be  praised,  we  now  know  that  all  our  works 
avail  nothing,  for  Christ's  blood  and  death  alone  must  blot  out 
and  pay  for  our  sins.  Begin  to  sing  a  psalm:  Der  8trich  ist 
entzwey  und  wir  seynd  frey^  ^c,  i.  e.,  the  cord  is  cut  asunder 
and  we  are  at  liberty.  At  the  same  time  drunk,  full  to  overflow- 
ing of  strong  drink.  Any  one  who  can  but  read  this  distich,  if 
he  live  ever  so  carnally,  is  a  good  evangelical  man  and  a  suita- 
ble brother.  And  should  some  one  come  who  would  in  true 
and  sincere  love  admonish  or  reprove  them,  and  direct  them 
to  Jesus  Christ,  to  his  doctrine,  sacraments  and  unblamable 
example,  and  show  that  it  does  not  become  a  Christian  to 
carouse  and  drink,  and  to  revile  and  curse,  &c.,  he  must  from 
that  hour  hear  that  he  is  a  legalist,  (  Werkheiliger)  one  that 
would  take  heaven  by  storm,  or  a  factionist,  a  fanatic  or  hypo- 
crite, a  defamer  of  the  sacrament,  or  an  ana-baptist. 

Behold!  thus  God,  the  righteous  Lord,  suffers  these  to  err 
an^  go  astray  in  their  hearts,  who  rely  upon  the  j)recious  death 
and  the  most  holy  flesh  and  blood  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
the  Son  of  God,  together  with  his  saving  and  reverent  word, 
in  their  sensual  lusts  and  wantonness,  and  make  it  an  occasion 
of  their  unclean  and  sinful  flesh.  It  appears  to  me  this  may 
also  truly  be  called  a  tolerated,  large  and  great  sect. 


OP  THE  ENGLSH,  ZUINGLIAN,  OR  CALVANISTIC  BELIEF.     175 


OF  THE  ENGLISH,    ZUIN.GLIAN,    OR   CAL- 
YINISTIC  BELIEF. 

The  English,  or  Zuinglians,  believe  and  confess  that  there  are 
two  sons  in  Christ  Jesus :  the  one  is  God's  son,  without  mother, 
and  impassive;  and  the  other  is  the  son  of  Mary,  or  the  son  of 
man,  without  father,  and  passive.  And  in  this  passive  son  of 
Mary  the  impassive  Son  of  God  dwelt;  so  that  the  son  of  Mary, 
who  was  crucified  and  died  for  us,  was  not  the  son  of  God. 
This  was  acknowledged  by  one  of  their  principal  teachers, 
called  Martin  Micron,  also  by  one  Harman  Von  Ronsen,  (if  I 
recollect  his  name  rightly, )  before  me,  two  or  three  times  in  a 
large  assembly,  in  the  year  1554. 

Further,  the  said  Micron,  when  I  questioned  him  in  relation 
to  the  aura  seminis  of  the  woman,  concerning  which  we  had 
not  a  few  words,  acknowledged  and  said:  I  have  to  confess 
that  a  woman  has  no  seminal  functions  but  an  afflux  of  catame- 
nial  fluid  to  the  uterus.  See,  before  God,  it  is  the  truth  that  I 
write!  He  also  wrote  in  a  book,  printed  in  England — these  are 
his  words — touching  the  coagulating  of  the  fluids  in  her  uterus. 
If  the  fluids  thus  changed,  as  the  book  says,  and  as  he  confesses, 
that  a  woman  has  only  catamenial  fluids  in  the  uterus,  as  said; 
therefore,  it  is  evident  that  they  believe  (ifthey  agree  with  him) 
that  their  Saviour  is  not  God's  first  and  only  begotton  son,  but 
the  mere  result  of  a  vitiated  state  of  the  uterine  fluids. 

John  aLasco  also  writes  that  Christ  partook  of  no  other 
flesh  than  that  which  was  subject  to  sin  and  death,  in  order 
that  he  might  be  tempted.  He  states  in  the  same  book:  If  he 
is  holy  why  was  he  sentenced  in  the  Father's  judgment  for  the 
sake  of  sin?  This  I  cannot  otherwise  understand,  before  God, 
than  that  he  believes  that  the  man  Christ  Jesus  was  a  sinful 
Christ  and  guilty  of  death.  Read  his  defence  made  against 
me,  of  the  Incarnation ;  there  you  will  find  his  ground. 

O  God,  watch  over  all  true  hearts,  that  they  may  never  believe 
such  intolerably  great  abominations.  It  makes  me  shudder, 
and  I  am  astonished  in  my  heart,  yea,  I  am  ashamed  in  my 
soul,  that  I  must  make  mention  thereof;  for  it  is  too  offensive. 
But  since  they  defame  and  slander  us  daily  before  all  men,  both 
verbally  and  by  writing,  what  a  very  detestable  ground  and 
doctrine  we  have  of  Christ,  (since  we  confess,  with  the  scripture, 
that  he  was  the  first  and  only  begotten  son  of  God  who  died  for 
us,)  and 'they  present  these  abominable  things  to  the  poor 
simple  people,  as  said,  and  deceive  them  so  miserably  thereby; 
for  this  reason  am  I  constrained  in  my  conscience,  (to  the  honor 


176  OF  TRUE  CHRISTIAN  BELIEF. 

of  God,  and  to  warn  all  the  God-fearing, )  that  I  had  to  notice  this 
here,  to  present  it  to  the  reader,  whose  mind  is  held  captive  by 
them,  to  reflect  upon;  for  I  know  not  how  we  could  believe 
more  cruelly  and  abominably  of  Christ,  teach,  feel,  think  or 
speak  of,  than  to  say:  It  was  not  the  Son  of  God  who  died  for 
us,  but  it  was  the  result  of  a  vitiated  catamenial  fluid — a  man 
that  had  to  die  for  sin,  &c. 

And  though  they  would  gainsay  and  deny  this,  and  say  that 
I  wrote  this  gratuitously  concerning  them,  it  is  true,  this  hap- 
pened repeatedly,  and  before  many  pious  hearts;  they  may  deny 
it,  but  it  will  be  found  true  in  the  day  of  the  righteous  judgment, 
before  the  eyes  of  the  Eternal  and  great  majesty,  as  I  have 
written  it.     0  abominable  sect! 


OF  TEUE  CHRISTIAN  BELIEF. 

We  teach  and  believe,  and  this  by  virtue  and  power  of  the 
whole  scriptures:  That  the  whole  Christ  Jesus  from  above  and 
below,  inwardly  and  outwardly,  visibly  and  invisibly,  is  God's 
first  and  only  begotten  Son,  the  incomprehensible,  eternal 
Word,  by  which  all  things  are  created.  (John  1.)  The  first 
born  of  every  creature.  (Col.  1.)  Became  a  true  man  in  Mary, 
the  immaculate  virgin,  through  the  almighty,  eternal  Father, 
eternal  spirit  and  power,  beyond  the  comprehension  and  know- 
ledge of  all  men.  (John  1 .)  Sent  and  given  unto  us  out  of  pure 
mercy  and  grace  from  the  Father.  (John  3.)  The  express 
image  of  the  invisible  God.  (Col.  1.)  And  the  brightness  of 
his  glory.  (Heb.  1.)  We  teach  and  believe  that  the  first  and 
only  begotten  Son  of  God,  Jesus  Christ,  is  our  only  and  eternal 
Messiah,  prophet,  teacher  and  high  priest.  (Deut.  18;  Heb.  5, 
10.)  Who  has  fulfilled  the  required  and  commanded  law  for 
all  his  believers,  (inasmuch  as  they  could  not  fulfil  it  on  account 
of  the  weakness  of  their  flesh.)  Who  taught  us  his  Father's 
good  will  and  pleasure,  and  went  before  us  as  an  unblamable 
pattern,  and  freely  offered  himself  upon  the  cross  for  our  sins, 
as  a  sweet-smelling  sacrifice  to  the  Father.  (Rom.  8;  Col.  2. 
Eph.  2;  Matt.  12;  John  13;  Eph.  5.)  Through  whom  we  all, 
(who  believe  this  cordially, )  have  received  the  forgiveness  of  our 
sins,  grace,  favor,  mercy,  liberty,  joy,  life  eternal,  a  reconciled 
Father  and  free  access  to  God,  in  the  spirit.  (Eph.  2.)  And  this 
all  through  his  merits,  righteousness,  intercession  and  blood, 
and  not  through  our  own  works.     Behold  this  is  the  true  sum- 


OF  THE  TRUE  CHRISTIAN  BELIEF.  177 

mary  of  our  belief  concerning  Christ,  our  Saviour,  the  Son  of 
God. 

All  who  believe  this,  in  their  hearts  as  certain  and  true,  and 
are  assured,  through  the  vrord  of  God,  in  their  hearts  and 
spirit,  are  inwardly  changed,  receive  the  fear  and  love  of  God, 
and  bring  forth  out  of  their  faith  righteousness,  fruit,  power, 
an  unblamable  life  and  a  new  principle,  as  Paul  says  :  With 
the  heart  we  believe  unto  righteousness.  (Rom.  10)  Through 
faith,  says  Peter,  God  purifies  our  hearts.  (Acts.  15.)  And 
thus  follow  the  fruits  of  righteousness  out  of  an  upright,  un- 
feigned, pious,  Christian  faith.     Observe  this  well. 

For  all  those  who  believe  the  righteous  judgment  of  God  and 
his  eternal  wrath  over  all  sin  and  wickedness,  and  do  not  doubt 
at  all,  look  at  the  fallen  angels,  (2  Pet.  2  ;  Jude  1,)  they  look 
at  the  first,  depraved  world,  (Gen.  6,  7,  8,3  at  Sodom  and  Go- 
morrah, (Gen.  19, J  and  upon  disolDcdient,  refractory  Israel, 
(Heb.  3,)  they  take  particular  notice  how  God  humbled  his 
innocent  Son,  who  knew  of  no  sin,  and  in  whose  mouth  guile 
was  not  found,  how  he  was  humbled,  made  the  most  miserable 
among  men  for  the  sake  of  our  sins.  (Isa.  53.)  Yea,  that  he 
was  so  beaten  and  tortured,  that,  v/hile  extended  on  the  cross, 
he  innocently  complained  to  his  Father :  My  God,  my  Go*d, 
why  hast  thou  forsaken  me  ?     (Matt.  27.) 

All,  we  say,  who  truly  believe  this,  in  the*r  hearts,  certainly 
will  flee  from  all  unrighteousness,  as  they  would  from  the  fangs 
of  a  serpent ;  they  turn  away  from  all  sins,  and  dread  them 
more  than  a  burning  fire  or  a  piercing  sword,  for  their  whole 
mind  and  conscience  testify  to  them,  that  if  they  premeditately 
sin  against  God's  law  and  word,  and  do  not  receive  Christ  in  a 
pure  and  good  conscience,  live  according  to  the  flesh,  despise 
the  inviting  voice  of  God,  that  they  will  fall  under  the  dread- 
ful eternal  sentence  and  wrath  of  God.     (Heb.  10.) 

This  the  pious  and  aged  Eleazar  believed,  (2  Mace.  6,)  and 
the  God-fearing,  virtuous  mother,  with  her  seven  sons,  (2  Mace. 
7,)  the  three  faithful  young  men  in  the  fiery  furnace,  and  be- 
loved Daniel,  (Dan.  3,  6,)  and  the  fair,  virtuous  Susan,  the 
honorable  pattern  of  all  pious  women.  (Dan.  13.)  And  would, 
therefore,  rather  endure  for  a  season  the  ire  and  fury  of  tyrants 
than  sin,  and  thus  bring  upon  themselves  the  eternal  anger  and 
wrath  of  God.  The  righteous,  say  the  scriptures,  live  by  faith. 
(Heb.  2  ;  Rom.  1  ;  Gal.  3  ;  Heb.  10.)  For  the  true  evangelical 
faith,  which  makes  the  heart  sincere  and  pious  before  God, 
moves,  changes,  urges  and  constrains  a  man  so  that  he  will 
always  hate  the  evil  and  willingly  do  the  thmgs  which  are 
right  and  just.  Yea,  even  as  it  is  not  necessaiy  to  admonish 
or  warn  a  man  of  understanding  not  to  cut  his  own  throat,  or 
to  drink  poison,  or  to  thrust  himself  from  a  high  tower,  or  to 

8* 


178  OF   THE  TRUE   CHRISTIAN   BELIEF. 

run  into  deep  water  ;  for  he  knows  well,  if  he  did  so,  that  he 
would  not  escape  death;  so  it  is  also  unnecessary  that  we 
should  admonish  or  warn  those  who  cordially  believe  that  the 
wages  of  sin  is  death,  that  drunkards,  liars,  fornicators,  adul- 
terers, the  avaricious,  idolators,  blasphemers  of  God,  envious 
bloodshed ders,  perjurers,  thieves,  and  the  like  sinners,  shall 
not  inherit  the  kingdom  of  Christ — that  they  shall  not  get 
drunk,  shall  not  commit  fornication,  &c.  (Rom.  6.)  For  the 
divine  fear,  which  is  of  such  faith,  warns,  reproves,  urges  and 
deters  them  so  that  they  will  never  more  consent  to  such 
sensual,  ungodly  works,  much  less  do  them.  For  their  faith, 
I  say,  is  sealed  of  the  spirit  through  the  word,  teaches  them 
that  the  end  thereof  is  death.  (Rom.  1,  6  ;  1  Cor.  6  ;  Gal.  5  ; 
Eph.  5;  Rev.  31,  22.) 

We  must  thus  believe  with  the  heart,  as  Paul  says,  CRom. 
10,)  that  is:  we  must  so  adhere  to  the  word  to  receive  and 
impress  it  upon  our  hearts,  that  we  never  turn  or  be  diverted 
from  it,  but  that  faith  be  more  and  more  rooted  in  our  hearts, 
so  that,  through  the  virtue  thereof,  we  may  fear  God  with  all 
our  powers,  and  do  sincere  penance.  For  cordial,  unfeigned  fear 
drives  out  sin,  and  it  is  impossible  to  be  justified  without  the 
fear  of  God.     (Prov.  2.) 

Here  observe  what  an  excellent,  pleasing  fruit  of  faith  the 
fear  of  the  Lord  is,,  for  it  is  the  only  power  which  expels  the 
sins  of  believers,  buries,  slays,  destroys  and  makes  sin  nought; 
this  is  the  first  part  of  true  repentance,  as  we  are  taught  and 
admonished  by  the  baptism  of  believers.  (Rom.  6  ;  Col.  2.) 
The  fear  of  the  Lord  (says  David)  is  the  beginning  of  wisdom; 
a  good  understanding  have  all  they  that  do  his  commandments: 
his  praise  endureth  for  ever.     (Ps.  111.) 

Further  :  All  who  comprehend  and  understand  with  a  sincere, 
unwavering,  believing  heart,  God's  great  solicitude  and  ardent 
care  for  us,  (here  I  speak  of  him  according  to  the  manner  of  man) 
and  his  unbounded  great  kindness,  mercy  and  love,  as  paternally 
manifested  toward  us  through  Christ  Jesus,  how  that  he  did  not 
spare  his  only  Son  (by  [whom  he  created  the  heavens  and  the 
earth,  the  seas  and  the  fullness  tliereof, )  his  incomprehensible, 
eternal  Word,  power  and  wisdom,  but  that  he,  for  our  sakes, 
gave  him  over,  humbled  him,  let  him  endure  hunger,  thirst,  was, 
derided,  taken,  mocked,  spit  upon  his  holy  face,  was  scourged, 
crowned  with  a  crown  of  thorns,  condemned,  crucified  and  slain, 
that  we,  through  his  sickness  and  stripes,  might  be  healed, 
through  his  poverty  might  become  rich,  (1  Pet.  2 ;  2  Cor.  8, )  that 
we  might,  through  his  being  despised,  obtain  glory  ;  through  his 
cursing,  obtain  blessing;  through  his  punishment  receive  grace; 
through  his  blood,  the  remission  of  sin;  through  his  offering,  be 
reconciled,  and  through  his  death  might  obtain  eternal  life.  He 


OF  THE  TRUE  CHRISTIAN   BELIEF.  179 

also  created  every  living  creature  for  our  use,  and  made  them 
subject  to  us.  He  serves  and  provides  us  with  winter  and 
summer,  heat  and  cold,  with  night  and  day,  with  rain  and 
dearth;  he  sent  to  us  his  holy  apostles  with  his  holy  word,  en- 
dowed us  with  his  spirit,  enlightens,  governs,  admonishes,  re- 
proves and  comforts  us;  he  has  given  us  shelter,  and  food  to 
supply  our  wants,  and  in  the  midst  of  a  perverted  lion-like 
generation  he  kept  and  preserved  us  by  his  grace,  &c.  I  say, 
again,  if  he  believes  this  with  all  his  heart,  apprehends  and  lays 
hold  of  it,  he  can  never  be  prevented  neither  by  angel  nor  devil, 
neither  by  life  nor  death;  but  he  must  love  this  gracious 
Father,  from  his  inmost  heart,  who  has  manifested  so  great 
love  and  mercy  towards  us  grievous  sinners;  yea,  praise,  honor 
and  be  grateful  to  him— serve,  and  be  obedient  to  him,  all  the 
days  of  his  life. 

For  this  is  the  greatest  delight  and  joy  of  believers,  that  they 
in  their  weakness  may  walk  and  live  according  to  the  will  and 
word  of  the  Lord,  and  where  unfeigned  the  love  of  God  obtains, 
there,  without  fail,  must  also  be  the  voluntary,  ready  service  of 
that  love,  namely,  the  keeping  of  his  commands.  (John  14;  1 
John  5;  2  John  1.)  Solomon  says:  They  that  put  their  trust 
in  him  shall  understand  the  truth,  and  such  as  will  be  faithful 
in  love  shall  abide  in  him.  (Wis.  3.)  And  this  is  what  Paul 
says:  That  in  Christ  neither  circumcision  nor  uncircumcision 
availeth,  but  faith,  which  worketh  by  love.  (Gal.  5.) 

That  love  is  of  an  effective  power  and  nature,  can  be  very 
plainly  seen  in  natural  love ;  for  we  n^d  not  admonish  rational 
parents  to  provide  their  children  with  the  necessary  food  and 
clothing,  but  natural  love  will  admonish  them  thereto.  And 
thus  with  man  and  wife  who  cordially  love  each  other  with 
conjugal  love,  they  think  it  no  displeasure  kindly  to  love  each 
other  and  be  fellow  helpers,  as  it  becomes  them,  being  one  flesh. 
(Eph.  5.)  And  so  are  also  the  nature  and  property  of  holy, 
divine  love,  for  all  those  who  by  faith  are  one  with  the  Father 
and  his  Son,  Christ  Jesus,  in  love  and  spirit,  through  the  true 
and  genuine  knowledge  of  the  aforementioned  faith  need  not 
to  be  admonished  that  they  should  serve  the  Lord,  seek  the 
kingdom  of  God,  use  baptism  and  the  Lord's  supper,  according 
to  the  ordinance  of  the  scriptures;  should  constrain  heart  and 
tongue,  to  reflect  upon  the  law  and  will  of  God  with  all  earnest- 
ness; hear  Christ  and  follow  him,  and  that  they  should  not  love 
gold  and  silver,  money  and  possessions,  wife  and  children,  life 
and  death,  more  than  Christ  and  his  word.  For  the  effectual 
nature  of  the  ardent  love  of  God,  which  is  of  a  pure  heart,  good 
conscience,  unfeigned  faith  urges  and  constrains,  moves  and 
operates  so  much  in  their  hearts,  that  they  stand  prepared  with 
body  and  soul,  possession  and  blood,  to  do  what  he  commanded 


180  OF  THE  TRUE  CHRISTIAN  BELIEF. 

tliem,  and  not  to  do  that  which  he  prohibited;  as  we  may  see 
(God  be  praised)  in  great  plainness  and  power,  and  hear  daily 
of  many  pions  hearts. 

And  it  is  hereby  evident,  if  we  would  love  God  and  walk  in 
obedience  to  his  commands,  we  should  then  believe,  have  a  spe- 
cial regard  to  his  favors,  and  with  the  heart  adhere  closely  to 
the  word  of  his  promise,  as  said;  for  that  love  which  is  sincere 
is  a  very  precious  fruit,  it  is  a  branch  and  plant  of  faith  from 
which  the  other  part  of  true  repentance  flows,  namely,  the  un- 
blamable new  life,  represented  to  us  by  baptism,  as  related 
above,  of  the  fear  of  the  Lord:  "Without  which  love,  all  elo- 
quence, all  tongues,  all  knowledge  and  understanding,  all  boast- 
ings of  faith,  learning,  miracles,  prophesying,  alms,  persecu- 
tion, cross  and  suffering,  dve  vain  before  God;  yea,  dead  and 
without  fruit,  (1  Cor.  13.") 

Every  one  that  loveth  is  born  of  God,  and  knoweth  God: 
and  God  is  love,  (1  John  4,)  and  such  a  one  does  all  things 
honestly  to  the  word  of  the  Lord,  for  love  is  the  fulfilling  of 
the  law,  (Rom.  13, )  the  obedience  to  his  commands,  (John  14; 
1  John  5,)  the  bond  of  perfection  and  peace,  (Col.  3;  Eph.  4,) 
prefigured  by  the  splendid  girdle  of  Aaron  and  his  sons, 
(Exod.  18.) 

Love,  says  Solomon,  is  strong  as  death;  jealousy  is  cruel 
as  the  grave;  the  coals  thereof  are  coals  of  fire,  which  have  a 
most  vehement  flame;  many  waters  cannot  quench  love,  (Cant. 
8,)  yea,  so  firm  and  strong  and  ardent  is  love  that  it  surpasses 
every  thing,  conquers  anA  consumes  what  is  opposed  to  Christ 
and  his  word;  be  it  world  or  flesh,  tyrant  or  devil,  sin  or  death, 
or  whateyer  we  may  think  of  or  name ;  and  this  is  all  through 
the  power  and  spirit  of  Jesus  Christ  of  whom  it  originates. 
(Rom.  8.) 

Moses  preceded  with  fear,  then  Christ  with  love.  First  the 
terrific  law,  and  afterwards  the  consoling  gospel;  first  wrath 
in  the  feelings  of  our  consciences,  afterwards  grace;  first  un- 
easiness of  pain,  then  peace;  first  tribulation,  then  joy.  In 
short,  first  the  letter  which  killeth,  then  the  spu'it  which 
quickens.  (3  Cor.  3.) 

Behold,  my  reader,  such  a  faith  as  mentioned  is  the  true 
Christian  faith,  which  praises,  honors,  magnifies  and  extols  God 
the  Father  and  his  Son  Jesus  Christ,  through  filial  fear  and 
fruitful  love,  for  by  it  we  know  the  Father's  good  will  towards 
us  through  Christ;  by  it,  I  say,  we  know  that  all  the  promises 
to  the  fathers,  the  waiting  of  the  patriarchs,  the  whole  figura- 
tive law,  and  all  the  predictions  of  the  prophets,  are  fulfilled  in 
Christ,  iciih  Christ,  and  through  Christ,  (Rom.  10.)  That,  Christ 
is  our  king,  prince,  Lord,  Messiah,  the  promised  David,  ( Jer.  23 
33 ;  Ezek.  34 ;  Gen.  49,)  the  Lion  of  the  tribe  of  Judah,  (Rev. 


OF  THE  TRUE  CHRISTIAN  BELIEF.  181 

5, )  the  mighty  God,  the  everlasting  Father,  the  Prince  of  Peace, 
(Isa.  9,)  God's  almighty,  incomprehensible,  eternal  word  and 
wisdom,  (John  1  ;  1  Cor.  1,)  the  first  born  of  every  creature, 
CCol.  1,  J)  the  light  of  the  world,  (John  3,  8,  13,)  the  Sun  of 
righteousness,  (Wis.  5,)  the  true  vine,  f  John  15,)  the  well  of  life, 
(John  7 ;  Rev.  22, )  the  true  door  and  shepherd  of  the  sheep, 
(John  10,)  the  true  foundation,  (1  Cor.  3,j  and  the  precious 
corner-stone  in  Zion,  (Isa.  28  ;  Rom.  19;  1  Pet.  2,)  the  right 
way,  the  truth  and  life,  (John  14,)  the  promised  proi)het, 
(Deut.  18;  Acts  3,  7,)  our  master  and  teacher,  (John  3,  13,) 
our  Redeemer ;  (Matt.  10  ;  Col.  1,)  Saviour  ;  (Luke  2  ;  Tit.  2, 
3,)  friend  and  bridegroom ;  (Cant.  1,  2,  3,  4;  John  3.)  In 
short,  our  only  and  eternal  mediator,  advocate,  high  priest, 
propitiator  and  intercessor,  (1  Tim.  2  ;  1  John  2  ;  Heb,  5,  6,  7, 
8,  9,  10,  13,)  yea,  our  head  and  brother,  (Eph.  1  ;  Col.'l  ;  Matt. 
12  ;  Heb.  2,  &c. )  And  since  we  know  all  this  by  faith,  therefore, 
I  say,  we  also  observe  his  word  rightly,  hear  his  voice,  and  im- 
plicity  follow  his  example,  counsel,  and  depart  from  ungodli- 
ness— the  heart  is  changed,  the  mind  is  renewed,  and  with 
Moses  we  rely  upon  the  future  promises,  as  though  they  were 
in  sight,  and  patiently  wait  for  them  with  pious  Abraham,  till 
he  with  all  the  chosen  shall  in  reality  inherit  them.  For  faith, 
says  Paul,  is  the  substance  of  things  hoped  for,  the  evidence  of 
things  not  seen,  (Heb.  11.)  He  says,  further:  But  hope  that 
is  seen  is  not  hope,  (Rom.  8.)  God  (says  Christ  himself  J  is  a 
spirit,  C  John  4 ;)  his  word  and  grace  are  spiritual ;  the  promise 
of  the  New  Testament  is  spiritual ;  his  kingdom  and  govern- 
ment are  spiritual ;  and  thus  we  have  to  believe  all  things 
through  a  pure,  sincere  and  sure  faith,  with|a  candid  heart,  and 
judge  and  see  with  spiritual  eyes  ;  but  we  may  well  say  with 
Paul :    For  all  men  have  not  faith.  (2  Thess.  3.) 

Therefore,  all  those  who  stop  their  ears  to  the  threatening 
and  slaying  law,  and  will  not  fear  God,  and  also  reject  and  de- 
sire not  the  gracious  gospel  of  Christ,  shut  their  eyes  to  the 
light  of  righteousness,  and  will  neither  see  nor  walk  the  true 
way,  harden  their  hearts,  and  will  not  acknowledge  the  just 
judgment  of  God's  wrath  and  displeasure,  his  mercy  and  favor 
and  his  unbounded  grace;  they  are  unbelievers ;^f or  they  reject 
Christ  Jesus,  run  haughtily,  yea  presumptously,  into  perverse 
ways  ;  they  choose  to  themselves  a  righteousness  and  means  of 
salvation  contrary  to  the  word  of  God  ;  the  wisdom  of  the  Lord 
they  esteem  foolishness  ;  his  truth  as  lies  ;  his  gospel  as  delu- 
sion ;  the  virtuous.  Christian  life  as  madness  ;  and  the  true  use 
of  his  sacraments  as  heresy;  open  idolatry,  commands  of  men, 
superstition  and  abominable  lies,  are  their  consolation  and 
most  reasonable  servive:  their  belly  is  their  God:  they  love  the 
world  more  than  heaven  ;  all  their  delight  is  in  covetousness, 


183  OF  THE  TEUE  CHRISTIAK  BELIEF. 

avarice,  pride  and  pomp,  in  gold  and  silver,  in  money  and 
possessions  ;  in  buying  and  selling,  they  cheat  and  deal  treach- 
erously ;  their  common  life  is  drinking,  gambling,  cursing, 
swearing,  hatred,  strife  and  fighting;  they  follow  the  flesh  in 
its  lusts ;  they  defame  and  seek  the  calamity  of  their  neighbor, 
his  dishonor,  disgrace  and  shame.  In  short,  they  say,  with 
the  fool,  in  their  hearts  :  There  is  no  God.  (Ps.  13  ;  Ezra  18.) 

Although  they  boast  of  God  with  the  mouth,  praise  his  name 
with  their  lips,  bow  their  bodily  knees,  saying  that  they  are 
redeemed  with  Christ's  death  and  blood,  it  is  nevertheless  vain 
hypocrisy ;  for  they  do  it  only  from  habit,  and  feignedly,  and  not 
inwardly,  through  faith,  in  power  and  truth.  They  are  those 
of  whom  it  is  written  :  They  profess  that  they  know  God  ;  but 
in  works  they  deny  him  ;  being  abominable  and  disobedient, 
and  to  every  good  work  reprobate.  (Tit.  1.)  And  this,  be- 
cause they  do  not  believe  Christ  and  his  word,  their  end  is 
death,  as  he  says  :  He  that  believeth  not  shall  be  damned,  yea, 
is  already  condemned.     (Mark  16.) 

It  is  true  what  Paul  says  :  That  it  is  impossible  to  please 
God  without  faith,  for  he  that  comes  to  God,  must  believe  that 
he  is,  and  that  he  is  a  rewarder  of  them  that  ^diligently  seek 
him.  (Heb.  11.)  O,  for  an  open  heart!  For  profound  under- 
standing, yea,  if  we  rightly  examine  these  words,  we  have  rea- 
son to  be  astonished  at  Paul's  wisdom  and  understanding. 
For  if  we  do  rightly  reflect  upon  the  matter,  we  have  to  con- 
fess before  the  Lord,  Cwho  tries  our  reins  and  hearts,)  that  we 
never  believed  it  with  the  heart  that  God  is,  and  hence  we  led 
a  vain  ungodly  life.  For  it  cannot  be  otherwise  ;  if  any  one 
believes  with  all  his  heart  that  God  is,  he  will  also  believe  that 
his  word  is  true,  that  the  wages  of  sin  is  death,  that  all  things 
are  open  to  his  eyes,  and  that  there  is  nothing  concealed  before 
him.  (Rom.  8  ;  Heb.  4.)  That  we  must  give  an  account  of  all 
our  thoughts,  words  and  deeds,  before  his  judgment  seat  in 
the  day  of  his  coming.  (Isa.  66  ;  Matt.  12  ;  Rom.  2  ;  2  Cor,  5.) 
Believing  all  this,  we  then  begin  to  be  astonished  before  such 
an  omniscient  and  righteous  Judge,  'yea  to  fear  and  tremble 
greatly. 

In  the  second  place,  I  say  :  All  who  believe  with  the  heai-t 
that  God  is,  they  also  believe  that  he  is  true,  and  therefore 
none  can  be  saved  contraiy  to  his  word  ;  for  he  is  the  God  of 
truth,  and  in  him  there  are  no  lies.  His  uttered  word  abides, 
it  can  neither  be  bent  nor  broken  ;  those  who  thus  believe 
begin  to  fear  his  righteous  judgment;  they  cast  behind  them  all 
their  false  patchwork,  all  false  promises,  all  the  bolsters  and  cush- 
ions of  the  false  prophets,  and  they  seek  the  Lord  who  bought 
them.  They  are  abased  in  their  own  eyes;  for  the  heart  is  hum- 
bled.   They  sigh  and  weep,  pray  and  lament,  knock  and  call 


OF  THE  TRUE  CHRISTIAN  BELIEF,  183 

at  the  throne  of  grace,  till  they  are  heard  and  encouraged  by  the 
word  of  his  peace,  comforted  with  the  promise  of  his  grace, 
and  anointed  with  the  Holy  Ghost. 

In  the  third  place,  I  say :  All  who  belifeve  that  God  is,  also 
believe  that  he  is  gracious  and  merciful,  that  he  bestowed  and 
sent  us  his  Son,  and  that  he  taught  us  the  right  way,  fulfilled 
the  law  for  us,  reconciled  us  to  the  Father,  and  redeemed  us  by 
his  blood  and  bitter  death  ;  has  conquered  hell,  the  devil,  sin 
and  death,  and  obtained  for  us  grace,  favor,  mercy  and  eternal 
life,  &c.  And  therefore  the  drooping  hearts  are  again  revived 
(which  saw  through  the  threatening  l^w,  nothing  but  the  wrath 
of  God  and  eternal  death.)  They  become  candid,  peaceable, 
and  joyful  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  are  of  a  joyful  disposition,  and 
are  thus  made  to  belong  to  their  head  and  Saviour,  are  united 
and  made  one  with  Him,  ingrafted  through  the  spirit  of  God 
and  pure  and  unfeigned  love,  that  they  are  of  one  heart,  one 
soul  and  spirit  with  him  ;  think,  speak  and  live  in  their  weak- 
ness as  he  has  thought  and  commanded  them  in  his  word.  They 
renounce  and  avoid  all  false  doctrine,  all  unbelief,  all  false 
sacraments,  all  idolatry  ;  put  off  the  spotted  garment  of  sin, 
which  is  the  evil  perverted  life,  and  is  of  the  flesh.  They  seek 
the  doctrines  and  sacraments  commanded  them  of  Christ;  that 
divine  service  which  is  taught  in  the  scriptures,  and  that  pious 
and  unblamable  life  which  is  from  God.  For  by  faith  they  are 
changed  in  the  inner  man,  converted  and  renewed,  because 
they  have  a  sealed,  and  assured  conscience,  which  bears  witness 
to  them  that  God  is,  that  he  is  righteous  and  true,  gracious  and 
of  abundant  mercy.  And  therefore  they  desire,  to  do  and  act, 
so  that  they  do  nothing  but  what  they  know  through  the  word, 
that  Christ  taught  and  left  them  through  his  holy  apostles  and 
prophets. 

Behold,  my  brethren,  here  you  have  now  the  true  properties 
and  nature  of  a  true  Christian  faith,  and  what  a  great  mystery, 
signification,  power  and  spirit  are  contained  summarily  in  these 
words :  He  jnustbeliem  that  God  is;  (Heb.  11,)  he  that believeth 
on  him  has  eternal  life  ;  (John  3,)  he  that  believeth  and  is  bap- 
tized shall  be  saved  ;  (Mark  16  ;)  whosoever  believeth  on  him 
shall  not  be  ashamed,  (Rom.  10,  and  the  like  passages.)  For 
it  will  always  be  the  case  where  there  is  a  true,  sincere.  Chris- 
tian faith,  there  also  will  be  a  dying  to  sin,  a  new  creature, 
true  repentance,  a  sincere,  regenerated  and  unblamable  Chris- 
tian. One  does  no  longer  live  according  to  the  lusts  of  sin,  but 
according  to  the  will  of  him  who  purchased  us  with  his  blood, 
drew  us  by  his  spirit  and  regenerated  us  by  his  word,  namely, 
Christ  Jesus. 

But  where  there  is  only  nominal  faith  and  no  righteousness, 
change,  or  new  and  penitent  life,  there  is  nothing  but  unbelief, 


184  OF  THE  TRUE  CHRISTIAN  BELIEF. 

hypocrisy  and  lies.  No  matter  how  much  we  may  speak  or 
dispute  about  the  scriptures — this  rule  will  abide,  and  can 
never  be  broken  :  If  y^  live  after  the  flesh,  ye  shall  die.  (Rom. 
8. )  All,  therefore,  who  live  in  pomp  and  wantonness,  in  ex- 
cessive eating  and  drinking,  adultery,  fornication,  avarice, 
hatred,  envy,  lasciviousness,  defrauding  Jand  such  sins  ;  all 
who  defame  the  Lord's  holy  and  high  name,  word  and  will, 
and  also  his  community;  slander  and  traduce  their  neighbor  ; 
deprive  him  of  his  honor,  name,  welfare,  body  and  goods;  who 
curse  and  swear  by  the  Lord's  sufferings,  wounds, -sacraments, 
cross  and  death,  &c.  All  who  do  so  are  unbelieving  heathens, 
and  not  believing  Christians.  This  is  as  plain  as  daylight,  for 
their  fruits  testify  before  the  whole  world,  that  they  are  not  the 
true  olive  tree  and  vine  ,from  which  we  may  pluck  or  gather 
the  true,  ripe  fruits  ;  for,  that  they  comfort  themselves  with 
the  doctrines  and  commands  of  men,  use  a  strange  baptism, 
Lord's  supper  and  divine  service,  which  Christ  has  not  taught; 
seek  the  remission  of  sins  by  foreign  means  ;  such  as  holy 
waters,  masses,  auricular  confession,  pilgrimage,  &c. ;  walk  in 
a  perverted,  crooked  path  ;  believe  not  Christ  and  his  word, 
all  must  confess  who  have  only  natural  discernment  and  under- 
standing. But  all  who  confess  and  acknowledge  Christ  to  be 
the  son  of  God,  and  his  word  as  the  truth,  that  his  commands 
are  eternal  life,  seek  no  other  word,  sacraments,  or  means  of 
reconciliation,  nor  another  way  of  life  than  that  which  Christ, 
God's  only  Son,  presented  and  taught  them  by  the  word  of  his 
truth. 

And  hence  it  is  evident,  where  sincere  and  true  faith  obtains, 
which  avails  before  God,  which  is  a  gift  of  God,  and  comes 
from  hearing  the  holy  word,  through  the  blossoming  tree  of 
life,  full  of  all  manner  of  precious  fruits  of  righteousness,  such 
as  fear  and  love  of  God,  mercy,  friendship,  chastity,  temper- 
ance, humility,  candor,  truth,  peace  and  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost, 
&c.  (Rom.  3;  Gal.  3;  Eph.  2;  Rom.  10.)  For  where  there 
is  a  sincere,  evangelical,  pious  faith,  there  also  are  the  sincere, 
gospel  fruits  of  an  evangelical  nature. 

I  say  gospel  fruit,  for  the  strange  fruit,  such  as  infant  bap- 
tism, masses,  matins,  vespers,  caps,  palms,  chapels,  altars, 
bells,  &c.,  know  not  the  gospel,  for  they  are  neither  command- 
ed of  God  nor  of  Jesus  Christ,  his  Son,  nor  by  the"  holy 
apostles  and  prophets,  therefore,  are  they  abominations  and 
not  believing  fruits,  even  as  the  golden  calves  were  with  Israel, 
(1  Kings  15,)  the  worship  of  Baal,  the  high  places,  altars  and 
churches,  and  the  crime  of  making  their  children  to  pass 
through  the  fire.     (Jer.  7,  11.) 

The  true  evangelical  faith  looks  upon,  an4  has  respect  to  the 
docti'ine,  ceremonies,  commands,  prohibitions,  and  unblamable. 


OP  NOAH'S  FAITH.  185 

examples  of  Christ  alone,  and  strives  to  conform  thereto  with 
all  its  powers  even  as  fire  in  its  nature  can  produce  nothing  but 
combustion  and  flame;  the  sun,  nothing  but  light  and  heat;  the 
water  causes  moisture,  and  a  good  tree  brings  good  fruit,  after 
its  natural  properties;  and  thus  evangelical  faith  produces  true 
evangelical  fruit,  (again  I  say, )  and  that  after  its  true,  good, 
evangelical  nature  :  yea,  even  as  an  honest,  virtuous  bride,  by 
virtue  and  the  nature  of  natural  love,  is  ever  ready  to  hear  and 
follow  the  voice  of  her  bridegroom;  and  from  a  sincere,  pious 
disposition,  favor  and  love  which  she  has  for  and  towards  him, 
will  ever  so  conduct  herself  before  her  most  faithful  friend  and 
beloved  husband,  whom  she  respects  and  loves  with  all  her  heart, 
for  his  sake  voluntarily  endures  whatever  may  befall  her;  even 
also  it  is  with  a  sincere,  regenerated  believer,  who  has  been 
joined  to  Christ,  by  grace  through  faith;  he  has  become  one  with 
Christ  through  this  ardent  love,  that  he  is  ever  prepared,  in  his 
love  and  will,  to  endure  all  things  for  Jesus' s  holy  name's  sake, 
in  evil  as  well  as  in  good  report.  Eager  to  endure  all  things 
that  may  befall  him  at  any  time,  be  it  joy  or  tribulation,  satia- 
tion or  hunger,  refreshing  or  thirst,  honor  or  dishonor,  in  good 
or  bad  report,  in  prison  or  at  liberty,  in  exile  or  at  home,  an 
easy  or  a  hard  life,  death  or  life.  Such  a  soul  partakes  of  her 
bridegroom's  nature  and  disposition,  is  pious  in  heart  and 
thought;  true  in  words  and  well  seasoned;  all  her  ways  are 
righteousness,  devoutness;  wise  as  the  serpent,  as  harmless  as 
the  dove;  a  genuinely  pious  disposition,  fidelity,  zeal,  peace, 
fervent  prayer,  an  unblamable  conduct,  a  sincere,  pure,  brotherly 
love,  and  a  voluntary  obedience  to  Christ  and  his  holy  word; 
for,  I  say,  the  righteous  live  by  faith,  (Heb.  2;  Rom.  1;  Gal.  3; 
HelD.  10,)  as  we  shall  be  shown  plainly  by  the  grace  of  God,  by 
the  following  examples  recorded  in  the  holy  scriptures. 


OF  NOAH'S  FAITH. 

The  holy  scriptures  testify  concerning  Noah,  the  son  of 
Lamech,  that  he  found  grace  before  the  Lord,  because  he  was 
a  righteous,  godly  man,  unwavering  and  perfect  in  his  genera- 
tion, (Gen.  6. )  Peter  calls  him  a  preacher  of  righteousness,  (2 
Pet.  2. )  High  and  glorious  is  the  testimony  which  is  given  in 
the  scriptures  concerning  this  man. 

When  all  the  world  was  depraved  before  God,  and  the  face  of 
all  the  earth  was  full  of  wickedness,  the  sons  of  God  looked  upon 
the  daughters  of  men  that  they  were  fair,  they  took  them  wives 


186  OF  NOAH'S  FAITH. 

of  all  whom  they  choose,  and  would  not  suffer  themselves  to  be 
reproved  by  the  spirit  of  God ;  then  spake  the  Lord :  I  will  yet 
give  them  the  space  of  a  hundred  and  twenty  years;  he  also 
gave  Noah  a  command  that  he  should  make  a  ship  or  ark,  by 
which  he  and  his  house  might  be  saved  from  the  coming  flood, 
for  God  the  Lord  *vas  about  to  destroy  the  whole  world  with 
water.  Noah  believed  the  Lord's  word  with  all  his  heart,  and 
kept  it  in  his  mind,  as  if  he  saw  it  before  him  with  his  eyes.  He 
commenced  building  as  he  had  been  commanded,  for  he  believed 
with  his  whole  heart  that  the  threatened  punishment  would 
come.  And  when  the  appointed  year  was  completed,  and  the 
disobedient  wicked  world  repented  not,  the  Lord's  word  must 
be  accomplished,  Noah  went  into  the  ark  with  all  clean  and 
unclean  creatures  as  the  Lord  commanded  him.  On  the  same 
day  he  entered  the  ark  the  foundation  of  the  great  deep  and  the 
firmament  of  heaven  were  opened,  and  it  rained  forty  days  and 
forty  nights  till  all  the  high  mountains  upon  the  face  of  the 
w^hole  earth  were  covered  fifteen  cubits  high  with  water  and  all 
creatures  upon  the  earth  that  had  in  them  the  breath  of  life,  as 
men,  birds,  beasts  and  worms  were  destroyed.  Noah  and  his 
family,  together  with  the  animals  which  were  with  him  in  the 
ark,  were  preserved  in  the  ark  by  the  power  and  grace  of  the 
Almighty,  in  whom  Noah  trusted  with  all  his  heart. .  (1 
Pet.  3.) 

Through  faith  (saith  Paul)  Noah  honored  God,  and  prepared 
the  ark  for  the  salvation  of  his  house,  according  to  the  divine 
command  which  was  not  yet  seen,  through  which  he  condemned 
the  world,  and  became  an  inheriter  of  the  righteousness  which 
is  by  faith.   (Heb.  11.) 

Oh!  lovely  example,  O  glorious  pattern  of  a  sure  and  firm 
faith.  For,  as  he  believed  his  God,  so  was  he  upright  and 
unwavering.  He  believed  the  threatened  punishment  firmly, 
as  if  he  saw  it  before  his  eyes,  and  therefore  he  labored  so  many 
years,  and,  through  the  eternal  spirit  of  Christ,  he  warned  the 
unbelieving,  disobedient  spirits,  or  men  led  captive  by  sin,  to 
repent  and  reform.  He  feared  his  Lord's  word  and  doubted 
not  that  it  would  happen  as  the  Lord  had  spoken.  He  well 
knew  that  the  Lord's  word  was  powerful,  as  the  prophet  said: 
O  Lord,  by  speaking  didst  thou  in  the  beginning  address  the 
creation:  Let  there  be  heaven  and  earth — thy  word  is  an  all 
powerful  work.   (3  Esd.  6.) 

And  when  he  had  preached  and  built  forty,  eighty  or  a  hun- 
dred years,  (the  scriptures  do  not  say  how  long  he  built  and 
taught, )  he  did  not  become  weak  in  faith  by  long  delay,  for  he 
well  knew  that  the  punishment  of  God  would  come  upon  the 
impenitent  and  unconverted,  and  that  he  an^  his  would  be 
preserved  through  the  mercy  and  grace  of  him  who  promised, 


OP  NOAH'S  FAITH.  187 

for  he  is  the  God  of  truth,  and  no  lie  is  found  in  him.  (Tit.  1 ; 
Heb.  6.) 

The  Lord  God  warned  the  pious  Noah,  and  said:  The  end  of 
all  flesh  is  come  before  me,  for  the  earth  is  full  of  violence,  and 
behold,  I  will  destroy  it  with  the  earth.  (Gen.  6.)  So  also  hath 
he  through  his  own  blessed  son,  through  his  holy  prophets  and 
apostles,  with  his  word  or  truth,  warned  us  and  said:  If  you 
repent  not,  be  not  born  of  God,  believe  not  in  Christ,  walk  not 
in  his  commandments,  reform  not  your  wicked  lives,  but  serve 
strange  Gods,  be  haughty,  proud,  ambitious,  lustful,  blood- 
thirsty, malicious,  unjust,  idle,  earthly,  fleshly,  and  devilish, 
you  shall  die  in  your  sins,  (1  John  7, )  and  shall  not  enter  into 
the  kingdom  of  heaven,  (John  3,)  shall  be  condemned,  (Mark 
16,)  shall  be  cast  into  the  flery  pool,  (Rev.  21,)  must  inherit 
eternal  wo  and  pain  with  all  the  accursed,  and  with  devils, 
(Matt.  15;  2  Thes.  1,)  and  have  no  part  nor  communion  in  the 
kingdom  of  Christ,  to  all  eternity.  (1  Cor.  6.) 

My  readers,  if  we,  with  the  upright  and  godly "  Noah,  take 
heed  to  the  warnings  of  Christ  and  his  holy  spirit  and  believe 
with  the  whole  heaii; — ^believe  God's  word  to  be  true  and  im- 
mutable— that  the  threatened  punishment  will  come  in  its  time 
even  though  it  be  delayed  a  thousand  years,  I  advise  that 
eveiy  one  watch  for  all  who  die  in  their  sins,  receive  their  pun- 
ishment, for  the  time  of  grace  is  then  expired.  We  should 
undoubtedly  threaten  the  impenitent  and  unconverted  with 
sore  wrath,  which  will  be  eternal  in  its  duration.  We  should 
fear  and  tremble  from  our  inmost  souls,  and  pray  our  God  for 
grace.  We  should  clothe  ourselves  in  sackcloth  and  mourning 
garments.  We  should  truly  repent,  reform  the  wicked  life, 
follow  after  righteousness,  (1  Pet.  3,)  and  with  our  new  and 
spiritual  Noah,  Christ  Jesus,  enter  into  the  new  and  spiritual 
ark,  which  is  his  church;  and  that  we  be  careful  at  all  times 
which  is  his  church  ;  that  the  fearful  flood  of  the  coming 
wrath  of  God  overtake  us  not,  with  all  unbelievers  and  im- 
penitent, who  know  neither  God  nor  Christ,  neither  spirit  nor 
word,  as  it  happened  to  the  old  world,  (Gen.  7,  8,)  yea,  we 
should  ^atch  and  wait  from  the  heart  upon  the  coming  of  the 
Lord,  and  give  heed  to  the  time  of  grace,  preserve  our  wed- 
ding garment,  and  have  oil  in  our  lamps,  we  should  see  that  our 
house  be  not  cast  down,  and  we  with  the  unclad  guest  be  not 
cast  forth  from  the  Lord's  wedding  into  outer  darkness  (Matt. 
22,)  and  abide  et'brnally  out  of  doors. 

But  if  we  believe  not  the  threatening  punishment,  wrath  and 
judgment  of  the  Lord,  and  have  little  regard  to  the  commands 
of  the  scriptures,  and  say  with  the  mockers:  Where  is  the  pro- 
mise of  his  coming?  all  things  abide  as  they  were  from  the  be- 
ginning, since  the  fathers  fell  asleep,  (2  Pet.  2, )  it  will,  I  fear, 


188  ABRAHAM'S  FAITH  AND  OBEDIENCE. 

happen  with  us  as  it  did  with  the  unbelievers  and  disobedient 
who  were  overtaken  with  sudden  destruction  in  the  time  of 
Noah  and  Lot,  (Gen.  7,  8,  19,)  as  one  may  plainly  see  and 
read  concerning  the  coming  of  the  Lord  in  Matthew  24  and 
Luke  17. 

Again,  if  we  believe  not,  neither  regard  the  threatened  judg- 
ment and  wrath  of  the  Lord,  it  will  follow  that  we  will  lead  a 
profligate  life — do  all  that  our  wicked  flesh  desires,  eat,  drink, 
build,  sow,  reap  and  marry  without  any  fear  or  care,  and  will 
avariciously  hoard  up  gold  and  silver,  and  say  haughtily  in  our 
heart  there  is  peace  and  joy,  till  swift  destruction  shall  over, 
take  us,  (2  Tlies.  2.)  Let  every  one  look  well  and  watch.  The 
messenger,  with  his  peremptory  summons,  is  already  at  the 
door,  who  will  say,  "Render  an  account,  thou  mayest  continue 
steward  no  longer. "  (Luke  16.)  But  could  we  with  the  righteous, 
unwavering  and  pious  Noah,  believe  the  coming  eternal  wrath, 
and  the  promises  through  Christ,  to  all  true  children  of  God, 
we  would  undoubtedly  not  be  found  so  attentive,  drowsy  and 
polluted,  but  would,  with  full  earnestness,  without  delay  rise 
from  our  abominable  sin  and  grievous  errors,  and  would  shun 
wickedness  as  we  would  a  hungry  roaring  lion  or  a  blood- 
thirsty enemy,  we  should  also  watch  with  open  eyes,  lest  the 
master  of  the  house  overtake  us  when  we  sleep  and  regard  him 
not.  And  that  he  may  not  give  our  portion  and  lot  among  the 
hypocrites,  let  us  not  strike  our  fellow  servants,  and  eat  and 
drink  with  the  gormandizer.  (Matt.  24.)  Concerning  this 
watching,  read  Matt.  24,  26;  Mark  13;  Luke  12:  1  Thes.  5;  1 
Pet.  3;  Rev.  3. 


ABKAHAM'S  FAITH  AND  OBEDIENCE. 

Abraham,  the  high-renowned  patriarch,  who  had  not  his 
equal  in  honor,  as  Sirach  writes,  (Sirach  .24:)  For  he  believed 
God  and  trusted  upon  his  word  with  the  whole  heart,  and  thus 
manifested  obedience  and  power  as  the  result  of  his  faith,  for 
as  the  Lord  commanded  him  and  said:  Get  thee  out  of  thine 
own  country,  and  from  thy  kindred,  and  from  thy  father's  house 
into  a  land  that  I  will  shew  thee,  and  I  will  make  thee  a  great 
nation,  and  I  will  bless  thee,  and  make  thy  Kame  great,  and 
thou  shalt  be  a  blessing:  and  I  will  bless  them  that  bless  thee 
and  curse  him  that  curseth  thee,  and  in  thee  shall  all 
families  of  the  earth  be  blessed.  (Gen.  12.)  And  when 
he  heard  the  command  he  believed  his  God  and  consulted 
not  the  ease  of  his  body  nor  his  natural  reason,  but  rC' 


ABRAHAM'S  FAITH  AND  OBEDIENCE.  189 

nounced  both,  and  did  not  strive  nor  dispute  with  God, 
in  whom  he  trusted  and  by  whose  command  he  went  forth; 
he  did  not  desire  to  know  before  hand  into  what  land  he^ 
should  go.  He  believed  his  God  with  his  whole  heart,  he*^ 
was  obedient  and  went  forth  at  that  hour,  together  with  his 
wife,  not  knowing  where  he  should  go.  He  reposed  fii-mly  and 
surely  upon  the  promise  of  God,  who  would  not  deceive  nor 
betray  him,  for  he  well  knew  that  he  was  a  God  who  w^s  true 
and  firm  in  all  his  words  and  that  he  would  bring  him  into 
such  a  country  as  he  had  promised  him. 

Behold,  how  upright  and  perfect,  how  plain,  obedient  and 
full  of  confidence  is  the  Christian  faith,  as  may  be  seen  in  this 
patriarch.  Compare  your  faith  and  its  fruits  with  Abraham's 
faith  and  its  fniits,  and  I  presume  you  will  find  that  you  have 
never  yet  become  his  faithful  seed  and  children  ;  for  it  is  man- 
ifest that  you  are  stubborn,  unbelieving  and  disobedient,  and  so 
fleshly  and  earthly  minded  that  you  would  not  give  a  cottage, 
a  bed,  a  cow  or  a  horse,  nor  would  endure  a  hard  word  for  the 
sake  of  the  word  of  the  Lord,  and  his  testimony  ;  much  less 
would  you  forsake  father  or  mother,  or  the  land  of  your  birth, 
for  the  sake  of  your  faith,  and  like  Abraham  travel  with  wife 
and  children  to  a  foreign  and  unknown  land.  Cursed  unbelief 
keeps  off  the  whole  world  from  the  truth  ;  ^for  many  of  you  say  : 
We  well  know  that  you  have  the  truth,  but  what  does  it  avail  ? 
We  are  poor  and  full  of  years,  we  cannot  longer  labor  or  earn; 
we  have  a  house  full  of  children  and  cannot  earn  our  bread  in 
other  lands  ;  we  fear,  also,  that  the  lord  may  not  have  such  a 
care  for  us  as  he  had  for  Abraham  ;  others  say,  we  have  much 
wealth — we  are  yet  young  in  years,  and  may  live  long  ;  father 
and  mother  hinder  us.  The  wife  says  :  My  husband  opposes 
me — the  husband  says  :  My  wife  is  against  me — and  the  like 
unbelieving  fleshly  excuses  and  cares.  They  never  take  to 
heart  nor  understand  that  Christ  has  richly  promised  you  that 
if  you  abide  by  his  word  you  shall  receive  all  necessaries,  as 
food,  clothing  and  shelter.  (Matt.  6,  19  ;  Mark  10;  Luke  12.) 
I  have  been  young  but  now  I  am  old,  (said  David, )  yet  have  I 
never  seen  the  righteous  man  forsaken,  nor  his  seed  begging 
their  bread.  (Ps.  So.) 

Faithful  reader,  observe,  if  we  had  a  firm  faith  and  a  sure  con- 
fidence, like'  as  this  godly  man,  and  dare  trust  from  the  heart 
upon  the  living  God,  O,  how  little  should  we  trouble  ourselves 
with  such  heathenish  cares  concerning  food,  clothing,  eating, 
drinking,  &c.  ;  for  we  well  know  that  Christ,  God's  only  Son, 
has  promised  that  if  we  seek  the  kingdom  of  heaven  and  his 
righteousness,  and  turn  our  hearts  to  some  honest  labor,  he 
will  not  forsake  us  to  all  eternity,  but  will  supply  us  our  neces- 
sities, CMatt.  6,)  for  he  cares  for  us.  (1  Pet.  5.) 


190  Abraham's  faith  and  obedience. 

Observe  further :  When  a  message  came  to  Abraham  that 
Lot,  his  brother's  son,  was  taken  to  Sodom  by  Chederlaomer, 
^  the  king  of  Elam,  and  his  confederate  kings,  Abraham  rose  up 
with  three  hundred  and  eighteen  of  his  servants  and  followed 
after  the  aforementioned  kings  ;  he  evertook  them  in  the  night 
and  slew  them  and  re-took  all  their  goods,  together  with  Lot, 
the  prisoners  and  their  wives.  (Gen.  14.) 

Hei;e  the  faithful  patriarch  manifested  his  love,  the  result  of 
faith,  and  feared  not  the  power  of  the  four  kings.  He  trusted 
in  the  living  God,  he  sought  not  his  own  safety,  nor  the  safety 
of  his  servants,  but  willingly  risked  all,  in  order  that  he  might 
rescue  his  oppressed  kinsman  from  the  hands  of  his  enemies. 
All  spiritual  children  of  Abraham  should,  after  his  example, 
love  their  brethren  who  are  born  of  the  incorruptible  seed  of 
the  holy  divine  word,  and  not  only  assist  them  with  money  and 
goods,  but  also,  when  necessity  requires,  they  should,  in  an 
evangelical  manner,  yield  life  itself  for  their  sakes.  (1  John  3. ) 
I  say  in  an  evangelical  manner,  because  aid  with  the  sword  in 
the  New  Testament*  is  forbidden  to  all  true  Christians.  True 
believers  must  suffer  patiently,  and  not  fight  and  strive  with 
swords  and  carnal  weapons.  If  we  desire,  by  the  help  of  the 
spirit  and  word  of  the  Lord,  to  save  and  gain  our  neighbor's 
soul,  we  would  not  close  the  door  upon  him  when  persecuted - 
for  the  sake  of  the  Lord's  word,  but  we  would  receive  him  into 
our  houses,  and  in  his  trouble  we  should  give  him  our  bread, 
assistance,  comfort  and  aid.  In  such  a  case,  it  becomes  us  to 
risk  our  lives  for  our  brethren,  though  we  must  be  rewarded 
with  death.  This  example  we  have  of  Christ,  who  for  our 
sakes  did  not  spare  himself,  but  willingly  yielded  his  life  that 
we  through  him  might  live.  (Matt.  20,  26  ;  John  10,  3  ;  Pet. 
2,  4;1  John  4.) 

In  the  third  place,  observe  that  Abraham  was  promised  that 
his  seed  should  be  numerous  as  the  stars  of  heaven — that  they 
should  be  strangers  in  another  land  that  was  not  theirs,  and 
they  should  be  oppressed  and  compelled  to  serve  four  hundred 
years,  &c.  (Gen.  15.)  Whenthispromise  was  made  he  believed; 
he  believed  this,  I  say,  and  his  belief  was  reckoned  to  him  for 
righteousness.  He  waited  with  patience,  and  it  was  fulfilled  in 
its  time.  (Heb.  6.)  He  murmured  not,  nor  disputed  with  God 
because  his  seed  should  suffer  so  greatly  for  so  many  years. 
An  admonition  to  all  true  Christians  that  they  should  cleave  to 
the  Lord's  word  with  all  the  heart,  and  should  hold  firmly  to 
his  promise  ;  for  God  cannot  forget  or  break  his  word  ;  heaven 
and  earth  may  pass  away,  but  his  word  shall  stand  and  abide 
eternally.  All  who  trust  there  shall  be  reckoned  as  righteous. 
Faith  was  counted  to  Abraham.  (Luke  21;  Rom.  4;  Gal.  3.) 
Through  faith  he  saw  the  promise  from  afar;  he  saw  it,  (I  say,) 


ABRAHAM'S  FAITH  AND  OBEDIENCE.  191 

and  comforted  himself  therewith.  (Heb.  11.)  In  like  manner 
also  with  us,  the  promise  of  the  future,  eternal  life,  is  made  in 
and  through  Christ,  and  we  are  informed  that  for  his  name's  sake 
we  must  suffer  from  this  perverted  and  wicked  generation. 
(John  3. )  This  promise  will  also,  doubtless,  be  fulfilled  in  proper 
time,  to  all  who  trust  therein,  though  long  and  sore  they  be  op- 
pressed by  the  evil  Egyptian  race.  (Matt.  5.)  For,  although  the 
children  of  Abi*aham  were  grieved  with  much  sorrow  and  pain  for 
some  hundreds  of  years,  yet  did  the  Lord  lead  them  forth  victo- 
riously, and  gave  them  the  land  of  promise.  And  thus  it  will 
be  with  us  if  we  doubt  not  the  promises,  but  receive  them  with 
a  firm  faith,  as  did  Abraham,  and  through  faith  walk  in  all  the 
commandments  of  God,  possess  our  souls  in  patience  and  honor, 
fear,  love,  thank  and  serve  the  Lord.  (Luke  21,  22;  Exod.  12, 
5.)  How  lamentably  soever  we  are  here  persecuted,  oppressed, 
smitten,  robbed  and  murdered  by  the  hellish  Pharaoh  and  his 
fierce,  unmerciful  servants,  or  burned  at  the  stake,  or  drowned 
in  the  water,  yet  shall  the  day  of  our  salvation  arrive,  and  all 
our  tears  shall  be  wiped  from  our  eyes,  and  we  shall  be  arrayed 
in  the  white  silken  garments  of  righteousness,  and  with  Abra- 
ham, Isaac  and  Jacob,  follow  the  Lamb  and  sit  down  in  the 
kingdom  of  God  and  possess  the  precious,  pleasant  land  of 
eternal  peace.  (Rev.  21;  Rev.  6,  7,  19;  Matt.  8;  Luke  13.) 
Praise  God,  ye  who  suffer  for  Christ's  sake  and  raise  your  heads, 
for  the  time  is  near  when  you  shall  hear:  Come  ye  blessed  of 
my  father,  and  ye  shall  be  eternally  blessed.  (Matt.  25.) 

In  the  fourth  place,  observe  that  Abraham  received  a  com- 
mand from  God  that  he,  and  also  his  male  children  of  eight 
days  old,  should  be  circumcised,  with  all  his  servants,  those  who 
were  born  in  his  house,  and  those  who  were  bought,  and  thi^ 
should  be  a  covenant  sign  between  God  and  him.  (Gen.  17.) 
He  was  not  disobedient  to  or  yet  displeased  with  God,  he  did 
not  complain  nor  murmur  against  him  on  account  of  the  pain  he 
should  suffer  in  his  old  age,  by  obeying  this  command,  nor  be- 
cause such  a  ceremony,  from  its  very  nature,  must  be  thought 
disgraceful;  and  one,  too,  by  which  he  could  neither  praise  God 
nor  serve  his  neighbor,  but  he  heard  and  believed  the  Lord's 
word,  and  humbly  and  submissively  followed  it  without  delay. 
He  well  knew  that  unless  he  would  believe  the  word  of  God, 
he  could  obtain  no  grace,  no  blessing,  no  promise :  For  the 
obedient  obtain  the  promise,  (Lev.  26;  Deut.  27,  28;  Jer.  11; 
Matt.  7;  John  15;  1  Cor.  7.) 

The  simple,  plain  submission  and  willing  obedience  of  Abra- 
ham's faith  are  made  manifest  by  its  fruits.  For  if  he  had 
followed  flesh  or  blood,  and  reasoned  with  himself,  he  would 
undoubtedly  not  have  so  obeyed,  but  he  would  have  entered 
into  argument  with  God,  and  said:    No,  Lord,  it  shall  not  be 


192  abbAham's  faith  and  obedience. 

so,  for  this  sign  will  profit  me  nothing,  for  Thou  art  not  praised 
thereby  nor  my  neighbor  served.  All  the  heathens  who  know 
not  thy  great  name  will  mock  and  scoif  at  it  as  foolishness, 
from  the  very  nature  of  the  ceremony.  O  no  !  He  spake  not 
against  the  Lord,  but  he  believed  and  acted,  and  it  was 
reckoned  to  him  for  righteousness,  and  he  was  called  a  friend 
of  God.     (James  2.) 

This  is  for  encouragement  to  the  godly  to  believe  the  Lord's 
word,  even  though  it  may  appear  heretical  and  mockery.  They 
willingly  fgllow  it.  They  strive  and  dispute  not  with  the  Lord, 
because  he  so  commanded  ;  but  it  is  enough  (I  say)  that  they 
know  that  he  has  commanded  and  in  what  manner  he  has  com- 
manded. 

Again,  it  shames  all  haughty  despisers  and  unbelieving 
mockers,  who  so  presumptuously  open  their  mouths  against 
Christ,  and  say :  What  can  baptism  profit  us,  or  why  does  God 
demand  water  ?  It  is  enough,  if  we  are  inwardly  godly  men, 
regard  the  commands  of  love,  and  lead  a  godly,  virtuous  life  ; 
and  such  like  hypocritical  words,  and  these  poor  miserable 
hypocrites  know  not  when  the  inward  man,  (of  which  they 
boast,)  has  become  upright  and  godly  by  faith  in  the  Lord's 
grace,  word  and  spirit.  No  one  must  depart  a  hair's  breadth 
from  the  word  of  the  Lord,  let  it  be  what  it  will. 

It  is  so  manifest  that  the  Lord  Jesus  has  commanded  water 
baptism,  upon  the  profession  of  our  faith,  (Matt.  28;  Mark  16;) 
he  received  it  himself,  (Matt.  3,)  the  holy  apostles  did  not  teach 
nor  practise  otherwise,  (Acts  2,  8, 10, 16, 19,)  their  signification 
and  effect  were  not  otherwise,  and  so  many  glorious  promises 
depend  thereon  as  may  plainly  be  seen  and  read,  (Mark  16  ; 
Acts  2  ;  Rom.  6  ;  Cor.  12 ;  Gal.  3  ;  Eph.  5  ;  Tit.  3  ;  1  Pet.  3,; 
not  on  account  of  the  external  rite,  (understand  me  well, )  but 
Christ  and  his  word  are  received  through  faith.  Say,  beloved, 
how  shall  one  obtain  the  accompanying  promise  if  he  does  not 
do  what  is  commanded?  But  what  does  it  avail  all  who  believe 
not  the  Lord's  word,  who  would  rather  have  money,  goods,  body 
and  life,  than  Christ ;  they  are  earthly-minded,  they  strive 
against  Christ,  break  the  scriptures  and  say:  What  can  water 
benefit  us  ?  But  if  they  believed  the  word  of  the  Lord  from  the 
heart,  as  did  Abraham,  and  were  new  and  changed  men  in  Christ 
Jesus — through  the  power  of  the  same  faith,  they  would  love 
their  enemies,  do  good  for  evil,  pray  for  those  by  whom  they  are 
persecuted,  be  ready  to  forsake  possessions  and  all  that  they 
have  and  are,  for  the  glory  of  the  Lord,  and  for  the  necessary 
service  of  their  neighbor.  They  would  not  reject  the  cross  of 
the  Lord,  but  flesh  and  blood  would  be  mortified;  they  would 
fear  God  and  his  judgments,  and  love  him;  they  would  not  mur- 
mur and  dispute,  but  stand  prepared,  like  Abraham,  to  shew 


ABRAHAM*  S  FAITH  AND  OBEDIElNCE.  193 

their  faith  by  its  fruits;  they  would  receive  the  commanded 
baptism,  surrender  themselves  to  all  obedience,  and  according 
to  their  weakness  walk  as  the  Lord  commands  all  true  Chris- 
tians. 

Since  they  believe  not  Christ  and  his  word,  they  neither  fear 
nor  love  him  ;  hence  it  follows  that  they  reject,  upbraid  and 
blaspheme  his  holy  doctrine,  spirit,  &c.,  as  deceiving  heresy; 
they  esteem  his  obedience  as  an  abomination.  O  reader,  beware ! 
God,  the  Lord,  is  a  God  who  will  adhere  to  his  word ;  he 
brought  calamity  upon  Adam,  Eve  and  their  posterity  on  ac- 
count of  the  forbidden  fruit.  CGen.  3.)  Uzzah,  for  a  small 
transgression,  was  punished  with  death.  (3  Sam.  6.)  The 
faithful  Moses,  on  account  of  one  transgression,  was  not  per- 
mitted to  enter  the  promised  land.  (Deut.  34.)  Whoever  re- 
ceived not  the  bloody  sign  of  circumcision  was  to  be  cut  off 
from  among  the  people.  (Gen.  17.)  Therefore,  it  must  be 
plainly  understood,  that  his  word  and  will  must  be  obeyed, 
otherwise  there  is  no  salvation,  for  he  is  the  God  who  has  made 
heaven  and  earth  and  the  fullness  thereof ;  the  almighty  and 
terrible  God,  who  lives  forever  in  his  majesty  and  glory — the 
Lord  and  Ruler  over  all.  Wo  to  him  who  speaks  against  him 
and  despises  his  word  and  will.  The  works  of  such  an  one 
testify  that  he  believes  not  on  Christ,  and  whosoever  believeth 
not,  (as  Christ  himself  declares, )  is  condemned  already.  (John 
3. )  Therefore,  it  is  all  in  vain  to  excuse  or  seek  for  evasion. 
Whoever  is  so  unbelieving  and  stubborn  that  he  will  refuse 
God  a  handful  of  water,  will  not  obey  the  command  to  love 
enemies,  to  mortify  the  flesh,  to  serve  neighbors,  and  to  take 
up  the  Christian  cross.  I  will  commit  this  to  the  serious  reader 
for  reflection,  in  the  fear  of  God. 

I  know  for  certain  that  all  your  disputation,  excuse  and 
covering,  are  nothing  but  fig  leaves,  and  your  life  is  nothing 
but  hypocrisy. 

Observe,  when  the  Lord  had  promised  to  Abraham  that  at 
the  end  of  the  year  he  would  return,  and  that  Sarah,  his  wife, 
would  have  a  son  whom  he  should  call  Isaac,  and  that  he  would 
make  his  eternal  covenant  with  him  and  his  seed  after  him, 
(Gen.  17,  18  ;)  though,  he  was  near  a  hundred  years  old,  and 
Sarah  ninety,  nevertheless  he  doubted  not.  He  did  not  think 
upon  or  regard  his  own  frailty  and  the  barrenness  of  Sarah, 
but,  firm  and  strong  in  faith,  he  trusted  upon  the  promise  of 
his  God,  and  praised  him  for  his  grace.  He  knew  that  God 
was  able  to  do  what  he  promised.  (Rom.  4.)  Therefore,  from 
this  same  Abraham  descended  as  many  as  the  sands  of  the  sea 
shore  or  the  stars  of  the  sky.     (Heb.  11.) 

Behold,  most  beloved,  how  an  upright  Christian  faith  regards 
God  as  almighty  and  true;  it  knows  that  he  can  and  will  do  all 

9 


194  ABRAHAM'S  FAITH  AND  OBEDIENCE. 

that  he  promised,  and  therefore  Abraham  looked  not  upon  the 
frailty  and  age  of  himself  and  Sarah.  He  doubted  not  the 
promised  words,  but  believed  without  wavering,  for  he  knew 
well  that  the  same  God  who  created  heaven  and  earth,  (John  1,) 
who  stretched  the  heavens  abroad,  and  to  the  raging  sea  set  an 
established  bound,  whose  word  sustains  the  earth  in  the  midst 
of  the  water,  who  rules  all  with  the  word  of  his  strength,  and 
gives  life  to  the  dead,  (Jer.  5;  3  Pet.  3,)  could  undoubtedly, 
when  he  chose,  render  that  fruitful  v/hich  before -was  barren. 
(Heb.  1  ;  Rom.  4.) 

Since  then  (I  say)  such  a  promise  was  made  him  by  God,  he 
doubted  not,  but  hoped  for  that  which  in  nature  was  not  to 
be  expected.  Through  faith  in  God  he  received  that  which 
was  promised  to  him  :  That  the  aged  and  barren  Sarah  should 
have  a  son.  (Gen.  21 ;  Heb.  11.^  And  thus  it  is  spiritually 
with  us — if  we  believe,  with  the  whole  heart,  the  promised 
word  of  grace,  (which  is  the  gospel  of  peace, )  whereby  the  re- 
demption from  our  sins,  through  the  blood  of  the  Lord,  is 
made  known;  so  will  also  our  dead  conscience  flourish  and  live; 
shall  receive  the  spiritual  Isaac,  Christ  Jesus,  with  the  eternal 
blessing,  and  bring  forth  fruit.  Christ  has  said  :  My  mother 
and  my  brethren  are  those  who  hear  God's  word  and  will,  and 
do  accordingly,  (Luke  8  ;  Matt.  12  ;  Mark  3  ;)  but  whosoever 
believeth  not  receives  not  Christ,  but  the  wrath  of  God  abides 
upon  him.     (John  3.) 

Observe  further,  how  severely  the  Lord  tried  the  faith  of 
Abraham,  when  he  said  :  Take  thy  only  son,  Isaac,  whom  thou 
lovest,  and  go  into  the  land  of  Moriah,  and  offer  him  there  as 
a  burnt  offering  upon  the  mountain  which  I  will  shew  thee. 
Abraham  heard  the  word  of  the  Lord  and  was  obedient.  He 
took  his  son  with  him  and  went  to  the  place  which  the 
Lord  had  commanded  him  ;  and  when  he  came  there  Isaac 
said :  Father,  behold  here  is  fire  and  wood,  but  where  is  the 
lamb  that  shall  be  offered  ?  Abraham  answered  his  son,  and 
said  :  My  son,  the  Lord  will  provide  a  lamb  for  the  offering. 
(Gen.  22.) 

O,  my  most  beloved,  do  reflect !  Observe  the  conduct  and 
conversation  of  Abraham  and  his  son.  I  suppose  reason  will 
tell  you  how  full  of  trouble  and  grief  the  mind  of  the  father 
was  on  account  of  his  beloved  son,  for  Abraham  was  flesh  and 
blood  as  we  are.  That  son,  who  was  born  to  him  in  his  old  age, 
through  the  promise  and  gift  of  God — his  only  son  born  of  a 
free  woman — the  desire,  the  joy  and  the  peace  of  his  heart — 
the  staff  of  his  age,  through  whom  he  received  the  comforting 
promise,  must  be  slain  and  burned  with  fire. 

How  hard  and  sorely  he  was  tried,  yet  did  he  not  oppose  God 
with  a  single  word,  nor  contendand  say  :  Why  hast  thou  given 


Abraham's  faith  and  obedience.  195 

ine  a  son  since  he  must  die?  Neither  did  he  reprove  the 
Lord  by  saying  that  he  had  falsified  his  promise,  for  it  was 
through  Isaac  that  the  promise  was  made.  But  he  confided  in 
his  God  with  his  whole  heart;  he  laid  aside  all  reasoning  and 
followed  not  sense  nor  flesh.  He  spared  not  his  beloved  son 
for  the  Lord's  sake.  He  loved  his  God  far  above  his  child, 
and  therefore,  he  refused  not  to  offer  him  willingly  as  a  burnt 
offering  to  Him  from  whom  he  received  him.  He  bound  him 
and  lifted  him  upon  the  wood,  and  raised  his  hand  and  knife  to 
slay  him — he  believed  that  God  could  again  recall  him  from 
the  dead.  He  was  about  to  obey  the  command  which  he  had 
received,  when  an  angel  spake  from  Heaven,  saying:  Lay  not 
thy  hand  upon  the  lad,  neither  do"  thou  any  thing  to  him,  for 
now  I  know  that  thou  fearest  God;  seeing  that  thou  hast  not 
withheld  thy  son,  thy  only  son,  from  me.  (Gen.  22.)  And  thus 
the  obedient,  faithful  Abraham  received  his  son  as  a  tyye  of  the 
resurrection.  (Heb.  11.)  The  word  of  James  is  true :  Abraham 
believed  God,  and  it  was  reckoned  to  him  for  righteousness, 
and  he  is  called  the  friend  of  God.     ("James  2.) 

Beloved  children,  we  must  always  stand  confounded  before 
God,  when  we  compare  our  little  faith  and  its  fruit  with  the 
faith  of  Abraham.  He  refused  not  to  travel  in  an  unknown 
country,  as  soon  as  he  was  commanded.  CGen.  12.)  He  was 
a  man  full  of  peace,  and  sought  not  his  own  interest.  (Gen.  13.) 
He  released  Lot  out  of  the  hands  of  his  enemies.  (Gen  14.) 
He  believed  the  promise  concerning  the  promised  land  and 
seed.  He  murmured  not  on  account  of  the  long  time  nor  of 
the  oppression  of  his  seed.  (Gen.  15.)  He  suffered  himself  to 
be  circumcised  in  advanced  age.  TGen.  17.)  He  believed  the 
Lord's  promise  concerning  Isaac,  and  taught  all  his  servants 
and  children,  that  they  should  follow  the  way  of  the  Lord,  and 
do  that  which  was  right.  (Gen.  18.)  He  was  willing  to  offer 
Isaac  as  the  Lord  had  commanded  him.  (Gen.  22.)  This  may 
truly  be  called  faith. 

So  entirely  was  this  pious  man  dead  to  himself,  that  he  denied 
all  his  lusts,  his  will  and  mind,  and  loved  his  God  alone.  He 
trusted,  feared,  served  and  honored  his  God,  with  all  his  soul 
and  heart,  and  walked  according  to  his  commandments,  as  is 
evidenced  by  his  works.  But  what  kind  of  faith  our  false-famed 
Christians  possess,  who  suffer  themselves  to  think  that  they  are 
the  children  of  Abraham,  I  will  let  their  fruits  be  the  judge;  for 
they  covet  and  hoard,  curse  and  swear,  lie  and  cheat;  they  are 
proud  and  haughty;  they  eat  and  drink,  are  incontinent  and 
fierce,  they  rob  and  pillage,  are  full  of  all  idolatry  and  wicked- 
ness. Those  who  have  a  little  light  refuse  to  remove  from  one 
village  to  another,  for  the  sake  of  the  Lord's  word  and  truth; 
they  seek  their  own  interests-  and  esteem  brotherly  love  but 


196  OP  MOSES'   FAITH  AND  FIDELITY. 

lightly;  they  are  earthly  minded;  the  Lord's  promise  and  good- 
ness they  regard  not;  they  fear  not  his  coming  judgment  and 
punishment;  they  love  the  creature  more  than  the  Creator. 
His  name  be  blessed  forever. 

In  short,  I  know  not  what  it  is  in  which  they  do  not  serve 
themselves  and  act  contrary  to  the  command  of  God.  They 
boast  notwithstanding  that  they  are  the  children  of  Abraham, 
and  have  his  promise.  Ah  no!  my  friends,  your  prophets  deceive 
you  and  your  false  hopes  delude  you;  as  true  as  the  Lord  lives, 
if  you  believe  not  his  word,  from  the  whole  heart,  nor  through 
the  power  of  the  same  faith,  walk  in  his  ways — bring  not  forth 
the  Christian  fruits  of  righteousness,  nor  follow  the  footsteps  of 
this  pious  patriarch — you  are  not  his  seed  and  children,  neither 
have  you  his  faith  nor  his  promise.  But  all  who  receive  Christ 
in  their  hearts,  through  faith,  and  adhere  to  his  word,  are  the 
cliildren  of  Abraham  and  fellow  heirs  of  his  promise,  (Gal,  3*,) 
for  they  are  reckoned  his  seed.     (Rom.  9.) 


OF  MOSES'  FAITH  AND  FIDELITY. 

Moses,  a  servant  and  messenger  of  God,  was  also  found 
faithful,  vigorous,  living  and  active  in  his  faith.  He  was  called 
of  the  Lord,  that  he  should" lead  Israel  out  of  Egypt.  Moses 
did  not  exalt  himself  to  the  high  station  of  a  prince  and  leader, 
but  he  humbled  himself  before  God  with  all  his  heart;  he  said: 
Send,  Lord,  whom  thou  wilt  send,  but  what  am  I  that  I  should 
go  to  Pharaoh  and  lead  forth  Israel?  Beside,  had  I  not  a  slow 
tongue  from  the  time  that  thou  spakest  to  thy  servant.  (Exod. 
3,  4.)  He  refused  so  long  that  the  Lord  was  angry.  With 
fear  and  trembling  he  at  last  took  upon  himself  the  com- 
manded duty,  and  surrendered  himself  to  his  God,  in  whom  he 
trusted. 

He  went  willingly  before  the  fierce  Pharaoh,  and  shewed 
great  wonders  and  power  before  him  and  all  his  servants. 
(Exod.  5,  7,  8,  9,  10.)  He  ransomed  the  people  through  God's 
out-stretched  arm  and  strong  hand.  (Exod.  14.)  He  divided 
the  Red  Sea  and  passed  with  Israel,  unharmed,  through  the 
deep.  (Exod.  32,  34.)  He  received  the  tables  of  stone  on 
which  were  written  the  Lord's  commands.  (Gal,  3.)  He 
caused  bread  to  rain  fom  heaven,  and  water  to  flow  from  the 
flinty  rock.  (Exod.  16,  17.)  He  prepared  the  tents  and  the 
ark  of  the  testimony,  as  he  was  directed  upon  the  mountain. 
He  ordained  the  figurative  priesthood,  with  all  the  duties, 


OP  MOSES'   FAITH  AND  FIDELITY.  197 

offerings,  sanctifi cations,  apparel, |&c., ^according  to  the  Lord's 
command.     (Exod.  25,  30.) 

He  went  with  the  people — pitched  the  tents,  and  took  them 
up  again  at  the  command  of  the  Lord.  (Num.  9.)  He  gave 
them  the  Lord's  statutes  and  laws.  He  stood  as  a  faithful 
mediator  between  God  and  the  people  when  they  had  sinned, 
and  he  turned  the  wrath  from  Israel.  He  punished  idolatry, 
whoredom  a  ad  stubbornness.  He  slew  Sihon,  king  of  the 
Amorites,  and  Og,  king  of  Bashan.  The  Lord  was  with  him 
in  all  his  works  and  ways.  (Num.  9,  25,  16,  21  ;  Exod.  23  ; 
Deut.3.) 

Through  faith,  says  Paul,  he  refused  to  be  called  the  son  of 
Pharaoh's  daughter,  and  chose  rather  to  endure  affliction  with 
the  people  of  God  than  the  pleasures  of  sin  for  a  season, 
esteeming  the  reproach  of  Christ  greater  riches  than  the 
treasure  of  Egypt,  for  he  had  respect  unto  the  recompense  of 
the  reward  ;  by  faith  he  forsook  Egypt,  not  fearing  the  wrath 
of  the  king :  for  he  endured  as  seeing  him  who  is  invisible. 
Through  faith  he  kept  the  passover  and  the  sprinkling  of 
blood,  lest  he  that  destroyed  the  first  born  should  touch  them. 
(Exod.  12  ;  Heb.  11.) 

Good  reader,  regard  the  word  of  the  Lord,  for  when  we  look 
upon  such  holy  examples  and  contrast  them  with  the  insupport- 
able pride,  haughtiness,  avarice,  idolatry,  disobedience  and 
unfaithfulness  of  the  Prince  of  the  world,  and  with  the  hard- 
ened, mad  unbelief  of  the  common  people,  we  shall  know  that 
they  are  far  from  the  obedience  and  active  faith  of  Moses. 
Yea,  they  are  unbelieving  heathens,  and  not  Christians. 

Moses  believed  his  God,  he  acted  rightly  in  all  his  transactions. 
He  was  kind,  and  was  solicitous  for  the  welfare  of  the  people 
under  his  care.  He  was  the  meekest  of  men.  (Num.  12.) 
He  served  neither  for  gift  nor  reward — but  obeyed  the  Lord's 
word — was  faithful  in  all  his  house,  (Heb.  3,)  and  faithfully 
prosecuted  his  duties  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord.  He  faithfully 
commanded  out  of  the  mouth  of  God,  and  in  upright  love 
faithfully  admonished  the  people,  that  they  and  their  descend- 
ants, from  generation  to  generation,  should  hear  and  be  obedi- 
ent to  the  voice  of  the  Lord  God  of  their  fathers,  and  should 
follow  no  other  customs,  commandments,  righteousness  or 
worship,  than  he  had  taught  or  commanded  them,  till  the  new 
prophet — the  teacher  of  righteousness,  the  blessed  seed  of 
Abraham — Christ  Jesus,  should  come.     (Dent.  18.) 

But  if  we  go  to  our  rulers,  princes,  lords,  bishops,  priests, 
monks,  and  all  of  those  who  boast  of  the  name  and  faith  of 
Christ,  and  if  we  measure  their  faith  and  obedience  with  the 
Lord's  word,  and  should  find  any  who  seek  Christ  from  the 
heart,  fear,  love,  believe  and  trust  him;  who  teach  the  ordi- 


198  THE  FAITH  OP    CALEB  AND  JOSHUA. 

nances,  commands,  sacraments  and  true  worship  of  God,  I  fear 
tlieir  number  would  be  few.  And  tliough  some  there  are,  yet, 
alas  !  they  must  be  a  prey  to  the  bloodthirsty. 

I  testify  to  you  the  truth,  in  Christ,  and  lie  not.  All  who 
hear  not  Christ's  voice,  believe  not  his  holy  word,  follow  not 
his  pure  unblamable  life,  from  the  whole  heart,  in  all  humility, 
patience,  meekness,  obedience  and  love  ;  they  have  not  Moses' 
operating  and  living  faith,  but  are  after  the  contents  of  his 
doctrines  already  judged.  (Deut.  18.)  O,  dear  reader,  beware! 
neither  name  nor  force  will  avail  you,  but  energy  and  action, 
if  you  would  become  happy  and  not  be  condemned. 


THE  FAITH  OF  CALEB  AND  JOSHUA. 

Joshua  and  Caleb,  through  faith,  passed  over  Jordan  and 
entered  the  promised  land.  For  when  Moses  sent  out  the 
twelve  spies  to  view  and  explore  the  country,  he  said  :  Get  you 
up  this  way  southward,  and  go  up  into  the  mountain,  and  see 
the  land  what  it  is,  and  the  people  who  dwell  therein,  whether 
they  be  strong  or  weak,  few  or  many  ;  and  what  the  land  is 
that  they  dwell  in,  whether  it  be  good  or  bad,  and  what  cities 
they  be  that  they  dwell  in,  whether  in  tents  or  in  strongholds. 
And  what  the  land  is,  whether  it  be  fat  or  lean,  whether  there 
be  wood  therein  or  not :  and  be  ye  of  good  courage,  and  bring 
of  the  fruit  of  the  land.  Now  the  time  was  the  time  of  first- 
ripe  grapes. 

They  went  up  and  viewed  the  land,  even  as  Moses  had  com- 
manded them  by  the  mouth  of  the  Lord,  and  after  forty  days 
they  came  to  Moses  and  Aaron,  and  to  the  whole  congregation 
in  the  wilderness  of  Paran  to  Hadesh,  carrying  with  them 
grapes,  pomegranates  and  figs,  saying  :  "We  came  into  the  land 
whither  thou  sentest  us,  and  surely  it  floweth  with  milk  and 
honey,  and  this  is  the  fruit  of  it.  Moreover,  we  saw  the  chil- 
dren of  Anak  there. 

And  Caleb  stilled  the  people  before  Moses,  and  said  :  Let  us 
go  up  at  once  and  possess  it ;  for  we  are  well  able  to  overcome 
it.  But  the  men  that  went  up  with  him  said,  we  be  not  able  to 
go  up  against  the  people,  for  they  are  stronger  than  we.  And 
they  brought  up  an  evil  report  of  the  land  which  they  had 
searched  unto  the  children  of  Israel,  saying  :  The  land  through 
which  we  have  gone  to  search  it  is  the  land  that  eateth  up  the 
inhabitants  thereof,  and  all  the  peox)le  that  we  saw  in  it  are 


THE   FAITH   OF   CALEB   AND   JOSHUA.  199 

men  of  great  stature  ;  and  there  we  saw  the  giants,  the  sons 
of  Anak,  who  came  of  the  giants ;  and  we  were  in  our  own 
sight  as  grasshoppers,  and  so  we  were  in  their  sight.  (Num.  13. ) 

And  all  the  congregation  lifted  up  their  voice  and  cried;  and 
the  people  wept  that  night,  and  all  the  children  of  Israel  mur- 
mured against  Moses  and  against  Aaron,  saying:  Would  to  God 
that  we  had  died  in  the  land  of  Egypt,  or  would  to  God  that  we 
had  died  in  the  wilderness,  and  wherefore  hath  the  Lord  brought 
us  to  this  land,  to  fall  by  the  sword,  that  our  wives  and  our 
children  should  be  a  prey.  Would  it  not  be  better  for  us  to 
return  to  Egypt?  and  they  said  one  to  another:  Let  us  make 
a  captain  and  let  us  return  to  Egypt.  Then  Moses  and  Aaron 
fell  on  their  faces  before  all  the  assembly  of  the  congregations 
of  Israel.  And  Joshua  and  Caleb  rent  their  clothes,  and  spake 
unto  all  the  congregation  of  Israel,  saying,  the  land  which  we 
passed  through  to  search  it  is  an  exceeding  good  land.  If  the 
Lord  delight  in  us,  then  he  will  bring  us  into  this  land  and  give 
it  us;  a  land  which  floweth  with  milk  and  honey.  Only  rebel 
ye  not  against  the  Lord,  neither  fear  ye  the  people  of  the  land, 
for  they  are  bread  to  us:  their  defence  is  departed  from  them, 
and  the  Lord  is  with  us:  fear  them  not.  But  all  the  congre- 
gation bade  stone  them  with  stones.   (Num.  14.) 

Behold,  dear  reader,  because  these  two  faithful  men  be- 
lieved the  word  and  promise  of  God,  with  all  their  hearts,  they 
trusted  firmly  in  his  almighty  power,  paternal  mercy  and  gi-eat 
works,  as  if  they  had  already  obtained  them.  They  saw  the 
heinous  unbelief  and  heard  the  bitter  munnuring  of  their 
brethren,  that  they  thereby  detracted  from  the  Almighty  Ma- 
jesty, as  if  he  were  not  able  to  fulfil  his  promises  unto  them,  and 
that  he  had  deceived  them  by  his  enticing  words,  therefore,  they 
were  very  sorrowful  and  sad,  and  rent  their  clothes,  as  has  been 
said.  And  therefore  they  were  the  only  two  persons  of  six 
hundred  thousand,  that  came  with  Moses  out  of  Egypt,  who 
entered  into  the  promised  land.  All  the  rest  died  in  the  wilder- 
ness during  the  time  of  forty  years,  and  they  did  not  reach  the 
promised  land,  because  they  did  not  believe  on  the  almighty 
and  powerful  God,  the  God  of  their  fathers,  of  Abraham,  Isaac 
and  Jacob,  who,  with  such  unheard-of  signs  and  wonders,  led 
them  forth  through  the  Red  Sea,  and  so  graciously  upheld  and 
guarded  them  in  the  wilderness. 

Thus,  alas,  it  is  with  some  at  the  present  day.  They  have 
spied  the  pleasant  land — have  seen  and  tasted  its  precious 
fruits.  They  have  been  enlightened  by  the  word  of  the  Lord, 
and  have  tasted  of  the  heavenly  gifts,  have  partaken  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  have  tasted  of  the  sweet  word  of  God,  and  the 
power  of  the  world  to  come,  CHeb.  6, )  they  have  beheld  the 
grace  of  the  Lord,  but  since  they  consult  not  God,  but  their 


200  THE  FAITH  OF   CALEB  AND  JOSHUA. 

own  sinful,  disobedient,  evil  flesh,  they  seek  their  own,  and  bear 
not  willingly  the  cross  of  the  Lord.  They  behold  with  carnal 
eyes  that  so  many  powerful  tyrants  and  fenced  cities  are  arrayed 
against  them — that  they  have  to  pass  a  howling  wilderness,  and 
must  ascend  many  high  mountains;  that  they  must  surrender 
reputation,  possessions,  relations,  body  and  life,  as  a  prey. 
Hence  they  murmur  against  Moses  and  Aaron,  and  seek  to  stone 
Joshua  and  Caleb.  They  give  to  their  poor  teachers  and  leaders, 
(who  with  true  love  direct  to  Christ's  word  and  examples,  and 
55reach  the  pure  truth, )  such  intolerable  suffering.  They  back- 
bite and  defame  them  beyond  measure,  and  choose  to  them- 
selves a  false  teacher,  who,  with  fair  words  and  under  the 
appearance  of  good,  shall  lead  them  back  to  Egypt.  They  prefer 
temporal  to  eternal  things,  they  fear  perishing  man  more  than 
the  immortal,  eternal  God,  the  Lord  and  Creator  of  the  world. 
With  unbelieving  Israel,  they  say  in  their  hearts:  We  are  not 
strong  enough  to  go  up  against  this  great  and  strong  people, 
and  are  not  able  to  obe^  and  follow  Christ's  doctrine  and  ordi- 
nances and  example:  for  the  world  is  against  us,  all  lords  and 
princes  persecute  us,  the  preachers  and  priests  upbraid  and 
defame  us,  and  we  must  become  a  by-word  and  a  derision  to  all 
the  world.  We  are  much  too  weak  to  bear  such  great  misery. 
Thus  you  think  and  err,  for  your  unbelieving,  fleshly  hearts  have 
so  blinded  you,  that  you  know  not  God's  righteous  judgment, 
you  hope  not  that  a  holy  life  shall  be  rewarded,  you  esteem  not 
the  honor  of  an  unblamable  soul. 

Dear  reader,  take  warning,  for  as  true  as  the  Lord  lives,  all 
those  who  cast  aside  the  word  of  the  Lord,  and  trust  not  on 
God,  who  are  earthly  and  fleshly  minded,  who  fear  those  whom 
they  ought  not  to  fear,  and  fear  not  those  whom  they  should 
fear,  who  think  more  of  the  perishable  creature  as  possessions, 
relatives,  body  and  life,  than  of  the  everlasting  God  and  his 
eternal  kingdom,  and  have  a  greater  desire  to  enjoy  in  peace, 
for  a  season,  the  dark  Egypt  of  this  ungodly  world,  than  to 
inherit  the  pleasant  fruitful  land,  with  endless  peace  with  God — 
»uch  shall  all  fall  in  the  wilderness,  and,  unless  they  repent, 
shall  never  enter  into  his  rest.     (Heb.  3,  4.) 

But  those  who,  with  Caleb  and  Joshua,  hold  firmly  to  the 
word  of  the  Lord,  and  believe  on  Christ,  as  the  scriptures  direct, 
are  firmly  assured  in  their  heart  by  the  Holy  Ghost  that  God 
will  not  fail  in  a  single  word,  but  will  accomplish  in  its  time  all 
that  he  has  promised.  He  will  not  suffer  them  to  be  prevailed 
against  by  the  gates  of  hell,  nor  to  be  deceived  by  the  subtle 
lies  and  philosophy  of  the  learned,  nor  to  be  alaimed  by  the 
tyranny  of  the  blood-thirsty,  nor  to  be  overcome  by  fleshly  lusts, 
nor  to  be  bewitched  by  the  fair  appearance  of  false  prophets; 
they  walk  humbly  in  their  King's  highway,  they  follow  Christ 


OP  THE  BELIEF  OF  THE  PlOtJS  JOSIAH.  201 

their  shepherd  and  leader.  They  judge  their  ways  by  his  spirit, 
word,  and  unblamable  example,  they  turn  not  aside  either  to 
the  right  hand  or  the  left.  They,  with  all  saints  and  believers, 
take  possession  of  the  promised  land — the  eternal  rest  and 
peace — God's  eternal  kingdom  and  glory,  and  will  forever  in- 
herit the  grace  of  Christ,  as  Joshua  and  Caleb  possessed  the 
figurative  land  through  faith,  and  with  their  children  inherit 
it.  0,  children,  believe  !  All  things,  saith  Christ,  are  possible 
to  those  who  believe.     (Mark  9.) 


OF  THE  BELIEF  OF  THE  PIOUS  JOSIAH. 

JosiAH,  an  illustrious  and  pious  king  in  all  his  works,  did 
that  which  was  pleasing  to  the  Lord,  and  walked  in  all  the 
ways  of  his  father  David  and  departed  not  therefrom  either  to 
the  right  hand  or  to  the  left.  And  when  he  was  yet  a  child  he 
began  to  seek  the  God  of  David,  his  father.  And  in  the  eigh- 
teenth year  of  his  age  he  sent  Shaphan  to  Hilkiah  the  high 
priest  that  money  might  be  given  to  those  who  worked  at  the 
house  of  the  Lord.  And  Hilkiah  said  to  Shaphan  :  1  have 
found  the  book  of  the  Law  in  the  house  of  the  Lord;  and  Hil- 
kiah gave  the  book  to  Shaphan  and  he  brought  it  to 
the  king.  And  when  the  king  heard  the  words  of  the  law, 
he  rent  his  clothes,  as  one  who  feared  his  God.  He  believed 
the  Lord's  word  and  feared  the  coming  wrath  which  he  threat- 
ened in  the  book  which  was  found.  He  then  commanded  Hil- 
kiah, Ahakim,  Achbor  and  Shaphan  saying  :  Go  and  inquire 
of  the  Lord  for  me,  and  for  the  people,  and  for  all  Judah,  con- 
cerning the  words  of  this  book  that  is  found,  for  great  is  the 
wrath  of  the  Lord  that  is  kindled  against  us,  because  our 
Fathers  have  not  hearkened  unto  the  words  of  this  book,  to  do 
according  to  all  that  is  written  concerning  us. 

So  they  went  to  Huldah  a  prophetess,  the  wife  of  Shallum, 
and  asked  her  as  Josiah  had  commanded  them  ;  the  woman 
answered  them,  thus  saith  the  Lord  God  of  Israel,  tell  the  man 
who  hath  sent  you  unto  me,  thus  saith  the  Lord:  Behold  I 
will  bring  evil  upon  the  place  and  upon  the  inhabitants  thereof, 
even  all  the  words  of  the  book  which  the  king  of  Judah  hath 
read,  because  they  have  forsaken  me,  and. have  burned  incense 
to  other  gods,  that  they  might  provoke  me  to  anger,  with  all 
the  works  of  their  hands,  therefore,  my  wrath  shall  be  kindled 
against  this  place  and  shall  not  be  quenched.     But  to  the  king 

9* 


202  OP  THE  BELIEF  OF  THE  PIOUS    JOSIAH. 

of  Judah,  which  sent  you  to  enquire  of  the  Lord,  thus  shall  ye 
say  to  him:  Thus  saith  the  Lord  God  of  Israel,  as  touching 
the  words  which  thou  hast  heard,  because  thine  heart  was 
tender,  and  thou  has  humbled  thyself  before  the  Lord,  when 
thou  heardest  what  I  spake  against  this  place  and  against  the 
inhabitants  thereof,  that  they  should  become  a  desolation  and 
a  curse,  and  hast  rent  thy  clothes  and  "wept  before  me,  I  also 
have  heard  thee,  saith  the  Lord.  Behold,  therefore,  I  will 
gather  thee  to  thy  fathers,  and  thou  shalt  be  gathered  into  thy 
grave  in  peace,  and  thine  eyes  shall  not  see  all  the  evil  which  I 
will  bring  upon  this  place.  And  they  brought  the  king  word 
again. 

When  now  the  king  heard  these  words,  he  sent  and  gathered 
unto  him  all  the  elders  of  Judah  and  Jerusalem.  And  the 
king  went  up  into  the  house  of  the  Lord,  and  all  the  men  of 
Judah  and  all  the  inhabitants  of  Jerusalem  with  him,  and  the 
priests  and  all  the  prophets  and  the  people  both  great  and 
small,  and  he  read  in  their  ears  all  the  words  of  the  book  of 
the  covenant  which  was  found  in  the  house  of  the  Lord.  And 
the  king  stood  by  a  pillar,  and  made  a  covenant  before  the 
Lord  to  walk  after  the  Lord  and  to  keep  his  commandments, 
and  his  testimonies,  and  his  statutes,  with  all  their  heart,  and 
all  their  soul,  to  perform  the  words  of  the  covenant  that  were 
written  in  this  book.  And  all  the  people  stood  to  the  covenant. 
And  he  caused  all  to  serve  the  Lord,  and  they  departed  not  from 
him  as  long  as  Josiah  lived. 

Here,  dear  reader,  observe  what  kind  of  faith  and  fruits  were 
possessed  by  Josiah.  He  heard  and  believed  the  word  of  the 
Lord.  He  rent  his  clothes,  enquired  of  the  Lord  and  renewed 
the  covenant  because  he  heard  what  God  had  commanded  in: 
the  same  book — that  they  should  not  do  according  to  their 
own  thoughts,  and  that  they  should  not  follow  after  strange, 
gods,  nor  the  abominations  of  the  Canaanites  and  the  other 
heathens  which  were  dispersed  before  them,  but  they  should 
serve  the  Lord  alone  and  cleave  to  him,  and  keep  his  commands 
as  he  directed  them.  He  was  strong  in  the  Lord,  resolved  in 
a  manly  spirit,  and  acted  valiantly  in  all  his  doings,  for  he  be- 
lieved and  trusted  God  with  all  his  strength  :  and  with  earnest 
zeal  he  tore  down  all  that  his  forefathers  and  former  kings, 
out  of  their  own  imaginings  and  choice,  had  brought  in  and  es- 
tablished as  holy  service. 

He  burnt  all  the  vessels  of  Baal  and  tore  down  all  the  groves, 
high  places  and  altars,  in  the  land  of  Judea  and  Samaria.  He 
prepared  Tophet,  which  is  in  the  valley  of  the  children  of  Hin- 
nom.  He  destroyed  the  horses  of  the  sun,  and  burned  the 
chariots  of  the  sun  with  fire.  (Jer.  7.)  He  broke  down  the  altar 
of  Bethel  and  offered  the  idolatrous  priests  and  the  dead  bones 


OF  THE  BELIEF  OF  THE  PIOUS  JOSIAH.  203 

thereupon,  as  the  man  of  God  had  spoken  aforetime.  (1  Kings 
23.)  He  destroyed  all  that  was  opposed  to  the  law  of  God.  He 
kept  the  passover  of  the  Lord  as  it  was  written  in  the  book  of 
the  covenant,  in  such  a  glorious  manner  as  no  judge  or  king 
had  kept  it  before.  He  also  destroyed  all  soothsayers  and 
Wizards,  images  and  idolatry,  with  all  abomination  which  exist- 
ed in  Judah  or  Jerusalem,  in  order  that  they  might  adopt 
the  words  which  were  written  in  the  book  of  the  law  that  Hil- 
kiah,  the  High  priest,  had  found  in  the  house  of  the  Lord  : 
and  like  unto  him  there  was  no  king  that  turned  to  the  Lord 
with  all  his  heart  and  all  his  soul,  and  with  all  his  might, 
according  to  the  law  of  Moses  ;  neither  after  him  arose  there 
any  like  him.     (2  Kings  22,  23  ;  2  Chron.  34,  35.) 

Here  now,  O  ye  great  princes  and  kings,  and  all  those  who 
suffer  themselves  to  think  that  they  are  faithful  lords  and 
Christian  princes,  to  you  is  my  admonition  !  Have  you  any  fear 
of  God  ?  any  love  to  Christ  or  his  blessed  word  ?  or  is  there  yet 
any  sincerity  of  nature  with  you,  who  have  understanding? 
Then  know  that  you  are  not  gods  from  heaven  ;  but  poor  dying 
men  of  Adam's  impure,  guilty  race.  Humble  yourselves  under 
the  powerful  and  almighty  hand  of  God,  and  compare  Josiah 
with  his  faith  and  works  with  your  faith  and  works,  in  order 
that  you  may  learn  to  know  how  far  you  are  from  the  spirit 
and  word  of  Christ,  and  that  you  bear  nothing  else  than  a  mere 
idle,  vain,  empty  name. 

Whilst  Josiah  was  yet  a  child  and  young  in  years,  he  feared 
God,  and  manifested  a  mature  mind  and  understanding  in  all 
his  works  ;  but  you,  my  dear  lords,  fear  neither  God  nor  the 
devil;  cursed  unbelief  is  your  mother  and  unrighteousness  your 
sister.  In  divine  things  you  are  blind,  deaf,  mute  ;  yea,  during 
your  whole  life  you  are  as  destitute  of  understanding  as  children. 

Josiah  was  eight  years  old  when  he  was  made  king,  and  in 
the  eighth  year  of  his  reign  he  began  to  seek  the  God  of  David, 
his  father  ;  but  you  from  your  youth  follow  nothing  but  pride, 
haughtiness  of  heart,  wantonness  and  sport;  you  seek  to  enlarge 
your  kingdom,  to  increase  your  treasures,  to  cause  wars  and 
uproars  and  to  oppress  the  poor  and  miserable.  One  seeks  to 
glory  over  another  and  as  much  as  in  you  is  to  live  in  all  liberty 
of  the  flesh,  full  of  all  lust.  The  open  deed  testifies  that  I  write 
the  truth. 

Josiah  began  in  the  twelfth  year  of  his  reign  to  purify  Judah 
and  Jerusalem  from  the  high  places,  groves,  idolatry  and  mol- 
ten images,  (2  Chron.  33,  J  but  you  build  them  in  every  city,  vil- 
lage, street  and  alley,  upon  every  high  mountain  and  in  every 
deep  valley,  and  whoever  would  admonish  you  with  the  spirit 
and  word  of  Christ,  he  must  be  a  heretic  and  must  tread  the 
press  of  afllicton. 


204  OF  THE  BELIEF  OF  THE  PIOUS  JOSIAH. 

Josiali  was  solicitous  for  the  house  of  the  Lord,  and  appoint- 
ed and  paid  artificers  to  labor  thereat.  But  you  break  down, 
and  by  your  vindictive  mandates,  tyranny  and  sword,  oppose 
the  house  and  dwelling  of  the  Christ,  which  is  his  church, 
which  he  has  sanctified  by  his  spirit,  cleansed  by  his  blood,  and 
adorned  by  his  father's  word,  ordinances  and  sacraments.  You 
prevent  it  from  being  rebuilt  in  its  apostolic  clearness,  and 
from  becoming  perfect  in  its  doctrines,  sacraments  and  con- 
duct, according  to  the  command  of  Christ  and  his  holy  word. 

Josiah  expelled  all  soothsayers  and  wizards.  He  offered  the 
idolatrous  priests  upon  their  idolatrous  altars,  and  burned  the 
dead  bones,  <fcc.,  but  the  bones  of  the  man  of  God  from  Judah, 
and  of  the  prophets  of  Samaria,  he  burned  not.  But  you  sus- 
tain and  cherish  as  shepherds  of  Christ  and  keepers  of  your 
souls,  false  prophets  and  deceiving  priests  ;  the  greater  part  of 
whom  are  open  drunkards,  libertines  and  idolators,  full  of  all 
unrighteousness,  covetous  in  heart,  whose  belly  is  their  god, 
dumb  dogs,  who  dishonor  God,  destroy  poor  miserable  souls, 
and  are  blind  watchmen  as  shepherds  of  the  flocks  of  Christ. 
You  have  them  in  preference  in  your  courts  and  give  them  the 
highest  seats  at  your  tables.  (2  Pet.  2  ;  Phil.  3  ;  Isa.  56  ;  John 
10.)  They  are  honored  with  high  names  and  great  titles — they 
are  greeted  by  every  one  as  doctors,  lords  and  masters.  You 
present  them  splendid  dwellings,  great  rents  and  possessions, 
and  say  :  They  who  serve  the  gospel  must  live  of  the  gospel ; 
although  they  do  nothing  but  place  soft  pillows  and  cushions 
under  you,  and  preach  according  to  the  itching  of  your  ears. 
But  the  true,  pious  teachers  and  servants  of  Christ,  who  cor- 
dially seek  your  salvation  and  that  of  the  whole  world — who 
direct  to  Christ — who  rightly  use  his  sacraments  and  ordi- 
nances— who  desire  to  lead  you  and  all  men  on  the  right  way — 
and  who  walk  unblamably,  they  must  without  mercy  or  de- 
cency be  persecuted  by  you,  sentenced  to  fire  and  water,  and 
must  bear  mockery  and  shame  before  all  the  world. 

Josiah  made  a  covenant  with  the  Lord,  and  with  the  elders, 
priests,  prophets  and  j^eople,  that  they  should  serve  the  Lord 
as  long  as  they  lived,  &c.  But  you  have  made  your  covenant 
with  Antichrist,  and  with  all  your  preachers,  priests,  monks, 
judges  and  rulers,  that  the  perverted,  broad  way  should  be 
pursued,  the  doctrines  and  institutions  of  men  should  be  taught, 
followed  and  observed,  instead  of  the  true  service  of  God  ;  to 
Christ's  people,  doctrine,  commands,  spirit,  supper,  life  and 
separation,  you  give  no  place,  and  whoever  acts  or  speaks  con- 
trary to  your  abominations  must  lose  his  possessions  or  his 
life. 

Josiah  heard  the  word  of  the  Lord  and  became  contrite  in 
heart.    He  rent  his  clothes  and  wept  before  the  Lord  ;  he  feared 


OF  THE  BELIEF  OF  THE  PIOUS  JOSIAH.  205 

the  coming  wrath,  because  they  and  their  forefathers  had  re- 
jected the  word  of  God.  But  you,  O  my  dear  lords,  are  so 
hardened  and  blind  through  cursed  unbeUef,  so  bound  by  your 
sins  and  fleshly  lusts,  and  so  bewitched  by  false  i^rophets,  that 
we  cannot  prevail  on  you  to  repent,  by  the  threatening  law  of 
God,  nor  by  his  fierce  wi'ath,  and  terrible  judgment,  by  the 
devouring  flames  of  hell  and  eternal  death,  nor  by  the  peaceful 
gospel,  the  precious  blood  of  Christ,  the  pious  unblamable  life 
of  the  saints,  who  with  the  simple  yea  and  ?iay,  are  daily 
slaughtered,  like  innocent  sheep,  on  account  of  their  faith  and 
righteousness.  ^  It  is  time  that  you  awake  and  behold  how  you 
and  we,  with  our  forefathers,  so  abundantly  merited  God's 
righteous  punishment  and  wrath  on  account  of  our  sins.  May 
the  merciful  Lord  grant  to  you  eyes  that  you  may  see. 

Josiah  turned  to  the  Lord  with  his  whole  heart,  soul  and 
might,  but  you  dare  proudly  disregard  the  God  who  has  created 
you,  deny  the  Lord  who  has  purchased  you,  and  turn  yourselves 
to  dumb  idols,  to  wood,  stone,  gold  and  silver — to  water,  bread 
and  wine — to  the  unprofitable  doctrines  and  commandments  of 
men,  yea,  to  open  abominations  and  idolatry,  not  observing  that 
it  stands  written :  Idolators  shall  have  their  part  in  the  lake 
which  burns  with  fire  and  brimstone.     (Rev.  21.) 

Behold,  dear  sirs,  the  above  is  true.  I  can  prove  it  by  your 
pride,  whoredom,  fleshly  life,  and  by  the  ruins  of  burnt  coun- 
tries and  cities,  the  great  number  of  churches,  cloisters,  priests 
and  monks  and  the  matins,  vespers,  and  other  false  worship. 

Besides,  when  we,  on  account  of  our  sins,  are  visited  with 
pestilence,  famine,  war  and  other  dangerous  evils  and  plagues, 
your  only  remedies,  to  appease  the  wrath  of  God,  and  quench 
the  burning  fire  of  his  anger,  are  masses,  processions  (as  they 
are  called)  dead  bones,  images,  crosses,  banners.  They,  the 
papists  I  mean,  bear  these  strange  abominations,  and  follow 
after  them  with  uncovered  heads,'  folded  hands,  and  burning 
candles,  &c.  Therefore,  you  turn  not  aside  the  fierce  wrath, 
but  augment  it  more  and  more,  for  the  Lord  will  not  give  his 
divine  honor  to  works  of  man's  choice  nor  to  any  creature, 
neither  does  he  accept  any  such  masses,  processions,  crosses, 
images  and  abominations,  nor  regards  them  in  his  mind,  as  the 
prophet  said.     (Jer.  7.) 

Beloved  sirs,  repent.  The  statute  book  of  Christ  is  entirely 
lost  to  you.  Christ  and  his  truth,  sacraments,  spirit  and  life, 
you  have  never  known  nor  possessed  in  the  least  degree.  You 
serve  strange  gods — you  listen  to,  follow  and  use  Antichrist's 
doctrine,  sacraments,  ordinances  and  commands,  you  lead  an 
unclean,  ungodly  and  sensual  life.  O  sirs,  take  warning!  your 
sins  have  arisen  to  heaven.     (Rev.  18.) 

And  although  it  is  so  little  regarded  by  you,  (God  grant  it 


206  OF  THE  BELIEF  OF  THE  PIOUS  JOSIAH. 

may  be  otherwise)  yet  tliis  book  of  Christ  has  been  found  again 
by  some.  The  pure  unadulterated  truth  has  come  to  light, 
through  the  pure  unmingled  gospel,  and  is  daily  read  in  your 
ears,  and  explained  before  your  eyes  with  a  godly,  virtuous 
life,  with  an  open  confession,  and,  above  all,  with  much  of  the 
property  and  blood  of  the  saints,  still  your  hearts  continue 
stony  and  hard;  you  cannot  be  moved  nor  turned  either  by 
grace  or  wrath,  by  adversity  or  prosperity,  as  we  have  said. 
Behold  thus  has  the  blindness  of  Sodom,  the  darkness  of  Egypt, 
the  hardening  of  Pharaoh,  through  the  righteous  judgment  of 
God,  come  upon  our  kings,  princes,  lords  and  rulers. 

Dear  sirs,  awake!  and  make  haste,  the  trumpet  is  sounded, 
prepare  yourselves:  your  mortal  sickness  and  cankering  wounds 
are  shown  to  you.  I  counsel  you  to  suffer  yourselves  to  be  helped, 
you  possess  neither  Christ  nor  his  word.  Your  controversy  is 
against  the  Lamb  and  his  chosen.  (Rev,  17.)  Your  way  is  in 
darkness,  and  leads  to  the  abyss  of  hell.  The  wrath  of  the 
Lord  has  gone  forth  over  you  and  your  land,  for  you  live  more 
carnally  and  evil  than  can  be  imagined  or  described. 

O  my  dear  sirs!  reform,  repent  so  that  you  may  stand  before 
God,  cleanse  your  hands  and  hearts  before  the  Lord;  change 
your  pride  into  humility,  and  your  mirth  and  joy  into  sorrow; 
rend  your  hardened  hearts,  and  your  garments,  (James  4;  Joel 
2,)  hear  and  seek  Christ,  and  not  Antichrist;  implicitly  obey 
Christ's  spirit,  doctrine,  commands  and  infallible  example,  and 
not  the  vain  doctrines  and  commandments  of  men,  for  they 
corrupt  and  profit  not. 

Put  away  from  among  you  all  offence,  abominations  and 
idolatry,  masses,  altars,  infant  baptism,  the  idolatrous  bread, 
or  supper,  (I  mean  such  as  used  by  the  world)  images,  confes- 
sions, the  wanton  sodomy,  unchastity  of  the  papistic  priests 
and  monks;  destroy  and  root  up  all  accursed  heathen  disgrace; 
such  as  brothels,  every  species  of  gambling,  open  houses  of 
drunkenness,  together  with  idolatrous  temples,  high  places, 
groves,  churches  and  cloisters,  which  were  so  numerously  built 
contrary  to  the  scriptures  by  our  forefathers,  through  blindness 
and  ignorance. 

We  call  on  all,  poor  deceiving  teachers  and^  false  sects,  great 
and  small,  who  are  against  Christ's  spirit,  ordinances,  word  and 
life,  sincerely  to  repent,  and  help  us  to  resist,  not  by  power, 
tyranny  or  sword,  as,  alas!  it  is  the  custom  with  you,  but  by 
the  spirit  of  Christ,  with  doctrine,  exhortation  and  the  like 
virtuous  sei-vices  and  mild  means,  so  that  they  may  turn  from 
evil,  hear  Christ  and  follow  him  only. 

Permit  all  faithful  messengers  and  servants  of  God  to  preach 
Christ,  to  use  his  sacraments  and  ordinances  according  to  the 
scriptures :  lead  a  penitent  and  unblamable  life,  and  gather 


OP  THE  BELIEF  OF  THE  PIOUS  JOSIAH.  207 

Christ  a  glorious  community  through  the  spirit  and  grace  of 
God,  according  to  the  scriptures.     (1  Cor.  11.) 

Again  I  say,  reform,  you  have  erred  and  mocked  God  too 
long,  and  prayed  too  long  to  Antichrist,  and  walked  too  long 
in  the  perverse  and  hard  way  of  death.  Awaken !  it  is  high 
time,  the  true  law,  Christ's  saving,  pure  gospel  is  found,  which 
was  covered  for  so  many  centuries  by  the  abominations  of  Anti- 
christ. 

Hear  and  read  attentively,  believe  and  observe  it  faithfully  ; 
it  is  the  word  of  the  Lord  God,  which  Jesus  Christ  the  almighty 
Father's  first  and  only  begotten,  brought  from  heaven  and 
taught  us.  Bow  to  his  righteous  sceptre,  fear,  love,  serve, 
honor  and  follow  him  with  all  your  heart,  with  all  your  soul 
and  With  all  your  powers,  as  did  the  pious  Josiah.  For  the  Lord 
our  God  is  Lord  of  lords,  and  God  of  gods,  mighty,  terrible, 
neither  honoring  nor  fearing  any  one.     (Deut.  10.) 

Yes,  beloved  sirs,  can  you  thus  convert  yourselves  with  all 
your  hearts  ?  can  you  change  your  hearts  ?  can  you  humble 
yourselves  before  God?  deny  yourselves?  seek  and  follow 
Christ  and  his  righteousness?  renounce  the  world  and  flesh 
wit^  all  its  lusts,  (Wis.  6  ;  Acts  10  ;  Rom.  10  ;  Gal.  2  ;  Eph.  6  ; 
Col.  3  ;  James  2,)  as  you  have  heard?  Then  you  will  become 
tnie,  spiritual  kings,  priests,  and  mighty  ;  you  will  possess  your 
souls  in  peace,  gain  the  victory  and  conquest  over  all  the  deadly 
enemies  of  your  souls  ;  you  will  live  in  grace  and  die  in  grace  ; 
and  you  may  in  truth  be  called  Christian  kings  and  believing 
princes.  The  testimony  of  Peter  to  all  Christians,  I  say  to  all 
Christians,  is :  Ye  are  a  chosen  generation,  a  holy  nation,  a 
peculiar  people.     (1  Pet.  2.) 

But  if  you  refuse  this  and  remain  what  you  are  now,  pre- 
ferring perishing,  temporal  pleasures  and  joys,  to  the  imperish- 
able, eternal  joy  and  glory ;  I  would  then  that  you  would 
reflect  upon  wh^t  Sirach  says :  Why  are  earth  and  ashes  proud? 
He  that  is  to-day  a  king  to-morrow  shall  die,  (Sir.  10.)  Yea, 
what  are  they  all  who  are  of  Adam,  dust  and  ashes,  a  passing 
wind,  a  vapor,  poor,  miserable,  mortal  flesh,  food  for  worms, 
yea  men,  and  not  God.  O,  Sirs,  take  warning,  awake  and 
reform  yourselves  !  God  is  Lord,  who  will  judge  you.  Once 
more,  take  warning. 

Behold,  my  kind  reader,  here  you  have  before  you  a  few  ex- 
amples of  true  faith,  as  Noah  and  Abraham,  before  the  giving 
of  the  law,  and  Moses,  Joshua,  Caleb  and  Josiah,  under  the 
law,  whereby  you  may  learn  how  a  true  Christian  faith  abounds 
in  all  manner  of  fruits  and  virtues  ;  what  tjie  true  faith  always 
was,  as  may  be  seen  in  4hel,  Enoch,  Isaac,  Jacob,  Joseph, 
Jephtha,  Baruch,  Gideon,  Sampson,  Rahab,  Samuel,  David, 
Ezekiel,  Elias,  Helias  and  others,    JTow,  I  will  by  the  grace  of 


308   OP  THE  FAITH  OF  THE  CENTUKION  OF  CAPERNAUM. 

God,  present  you  with  a  few  examples  from  the  New  Testa- 
ment, whereby  you  may  very  clearly  learn  what  an  indescribably 
great  power,  fruit,  life  and  energy,  a  true  evangelical  Christian 
faith  in  its  true  nature  always  includes.  So  that  you  will  not, 
through  a  false  notion,  conform  to  this  ignorant,  unbelieving 
world,  who  boast  and  pretend  that  their  fruitless,  dead  opinion 
and  historical  knowledge  of  Christ  is  a  sincere,  evangelical 
faith. 


OF   THE   FAITH   OF    THE   CENTUKION  OF 
CAPEKNAUM. 

It  so  happened  at  the  time  when  the  Lord  Jesus  entered 
Capernaum,  that  a  Centurion's  servant  lay  sick,  whom  he 
loved  m\ich.  When  he  heard  that  Jesus  was  there  he  had  the 
consent  of  some  of  the  elders  of  the  Jews,  and  sent  them  with 
a  request  to  Jesus  that  he  would  come  to  him  and  restore  his 
sick  servant;  and  Jesus  went  with  them.  And  not  being  far 
from  the  Centurion's  house  he  sent  some  of  his  friends  to  him, 
who  said  :  Lord  trouble  not  thyself ;  for  I  am  not  worthy  that 
thou  shouldst  enter  under  my  roof,  (here  notice  his  humility, ) 
and  I  did  not  think  myself  worthy  personally  to  call  and  see 
thee  ;  but  speak  the  word  and  ipy  child  shall  be  healed.  He 
acknowlededged  that  all  must  bow  to  Christ  and  his  word.  I 
also  am  a  man  set  under  authority,  having  under  me  soldiers, 
and  I  say  unto  one  :  Go,  and  he  goeth  ;  and  to  another  come, 
and  he  cometh  ;  and  to  my  servant  do  this,  and  he  doeth  it.  As 
if  he  would  say  to  Christ :  Behold,  Lord,  I  am  but  a  man,  and 
have  to  serve  the  councils  at  Rome,  nevertheless,  I  have  so 
much  power  over  my  servants  that  they  must  obey  what  I  com- 
mand them  ;  but  thou,  Lord,  art  such  a  Lord  that  all  the 
mighty  have  to  bow  to  thee,  all  that  is  in  heaven  above  and  on 
earth  beneath  must  yield  to  thee.  If  thou  but  command  sick- 
ness and  death  they  will  have  to  obey  thee  and  leave  my  child. 
And  again,  if  thou  command  health  and  life  they  will  have  to 
return  again.  Therefore,  it  is  not  necessary  that  thou  shouldst 
come  into  thy  unworthy  servant's  house  ;  Lord,  only  speak  the 
word  and  my  child  will  again  be  restored.  When  Jesus  had 
heard  these  words  he  was  quite  astonished,  and  said  to  the  peo- 
ple°that  followed  :  Verily,  I  say  unto  you,  I  have  not  found  so 
great  faith,  no,  not  in  Israel.     (Matt.  8  ;  Luke  7  ;  John  4.)* 

Behold,  faithful  reader,  here  you  have  the  centuripn  a§  r 


OP  THE  FAITH  OP  THE  CENTURION  OP  CAPERNAUM.  200 

living  example,  by  which  you  may  learn  how  a  true  Christain 
faith  humbles  itself  before  God,  and  doubts  not  the  power  of 
God,  and  how  kindly  and  graciously  he  deals  wi  th  his  poor  ser- 
vants, be  they  male  or  female.  He  was  moved  with  compassion 
towards  his  poor  servant,  and  had  great  concern  for  him,  that 
he  spared  no  pains  to  trouble  the  elders  of  the  Jews  to  send  to 
Christ  and  entreat  him  to  come  and  heal  his  sick  servant.  This 
is  to  the  disgrace  of  all  false  Christians,  and  especially  to  many 
rich,  some  of  whom  are  more  severe  on,  and  have  less  feeling 
for,  their  servants  and  hirelings,  than  they  have  for  their  domes- 
tic animals;  for  as  soon  as  the  servants  sicken  a  little,  so  that 
they  cannot  perform  all  manner  of  drudgery,  they  are  unmerci- 
fully turned  out  of  doors,  and  sent  to  this,  or  that  tavern,  or  to 
their  parents  and  friends,  who  scarce  have  bread  to  satisfy 
their  wants.  Others  again  have  to  get  a  substitute  in  their 
place,  while  sick,  and  pay  him  out  of  their  own  earned  pittance. 
And  if  they  even  do  fulfil  their  engagements  with  hard  and 
severe  labor;  still,  some  of  these  unmerciful,  blood-thirsty, 
treat  these  innocent  ones,  (who  have  to  watch  when  they  sleep, 
labor  when  they  rest,  run  when  they  command,  stand  when  they 
sit, )  in  such  a  manner  as  to  take  the  greater  portion  of  their 
earnings,  or  scandalize  them;  now,  say  they,  a  spoon  is  lost; 
anon,  a  dish  is  broken;  in  short,  they  always  speak  evil  of  them 
and  can  never  be  pleased.  Yea,  if  some  of  them  could  feed 
them  upon  water  or  straw,  and  pay  them  with  the  whip  and 
chaff,  even  as  they  do  their  laboring  oxen  and  horses,  if  they 
were  not  afraid  and  ashamed  of  men,  they  would  not  be  asham- 
ed before  God,  alas  !  whom  they  know  not.  O  wo,  unto  such 
heathen  tyranny  and  unmerciful  cruelty  ! 

The  centurion  calls  his  servant  Ms  child  by  which  he  mani- 
fests his  paternal  love  and  humility  towards  his  poor  servant. 
Though  he  was  lord,  and  held  in  high  honor,  nevertheless,  he 
did  not  exalt  hiaaself  above  his  poor  servant,  well  knowing  that 
one  God  had  created  them,  that  they  were  born  of  one  seed, 
and  had  one  origin.  But  what  conduct  such  heathen  Christians 
do  manifest  towards  their  oppressed  servants,  their  actions, 
alas,  openly  show ! 

How  lamentably  some  of  the  poor  children  are  despised  by 
them.  How  many  disgraceful  words  have  they  to  hear,  and 
how  many  sore  stripes  to  endure.  Their  cursed  swearing  and 
threatening  and  rash  words  continue  from  morning  till  night. 
Some  of  them  make  their  girls  prostitutes  and  sluts;  yea,  why 
speak  more,  they  esteem  their  servants  as  filth — as  nothing — 
and  even  so  do  some  of  them,  especially  the  rich,  esteem  these 
poor  children.  Ah  !  reader,  it  is  all  much  worse  than  I  can 
describe  it ;  it  is  indeed  time  that  they  would  look  into  these 
things  and  reflect  more  deeply  upon  love. 


210      OF  THE  FAITH  OF  THE  CENTUKION  OF  CAPERNAUM. 

The  centurion  humbled  himself  before  the  Lord  with  all  his 
heart,  esteeming  himself  not  worthy  that  He  should  come  under 
his  roof.  But  our  haughty,  proud  heathens  strut  about  with 
pulfed  up  hearts  and  extended  necks,  high-minded,  idle,  and 
daring;  one  boasts  of  his  family,  another  of  his  wealth,  a  third 
of  his  wisdom,  a  fourth  of  his  skill  and  beauty,  &c.,  and  the 
innocent  and  meek  Christ,  who  says:  Learn  of  me;  for  I  am 
meek  and  lowly  in  heart,  (Matt.  11,)  of  whose  name,  word, 
death  and  blood  they  falsely  boast,  they  hear  and  know  not. 

The  centurion  believed  that  Christ  was  mighty  and  able  to 
do  all  by  his  word  that  he  desired  to  do;  but  this  miserably 
benighted  people  esteem  it  no  more  than  they  do  Lucian  and 
^sopian  fables.  Hence  it  is,  that  they  lead  such  an  impeni- 
tent and  carnal  life,  and  use  such  idolatrous  sacraments  and 
false  worship,  and  have  departed  so  far  from  the  true  King's 
highway,  still  they  would  be  the  true  apostolic  church  and  the 
believing  community  of  Christ;  but  even  as  Christ  testified  and 
said  of  the  centurion,  that  he  found  not  such  faith  in  Israel;  so 
we  might,  on  the  other  hand,  testify  and  say  of  this  people,  that 
such  a  heedless,  revengeful,  haughty,  proud  and  unmerciful 
unbelief  is  unknown  among  the  heathens,  and  is  not  to  be 
found  with  them,  who  never  heard  of  the  word  of  Christ.  Be- 
hold, thus  does  the  righteous  Lord  let  those  err  and  fall  into 
blindness  of  heart,  who  so  littld  regard  his  most  holy  word, 
and  hate  and  thrust  from  them  his  grace,  goodness,  spirit, 
knowledge  and  faith. 

But  it  is  not  so  with  you,  my  most  beloved;  take  tliis  sincere 
and  pious  centurion  as  an  example,  imitate  him  in  his  faith, 
love,  humility  and  virtues,  and  be  as  solicitous  for  your  ser- 
vants as  he  was  for  his;  teach,  admonish  and  reprove  them 
kindly,  as  oft  as  they  do  err;  set  them  an  unblamable  example, 
in  all  righteousness  and  piety;  and  have  compassion  with  their 
severe  labor  ;  comfort  them  in  their  poverty;  comfort  and 
grieve  them  not,  supply  them  with  their  necessary  wants, 
food  and  their  earned  hire,  and  do  not  curtail  them  ;  protect 
them  in  all  honorable  things  ;  contend  not  with  them  without 
cause,  lest  they  become  timid;  do  not  drive  them  away  from 
you,  but  let  them  unmolestedly  serve  out  their  time  as 
agreed,  lest  the  name  of  the  Lord  be  blasphemed ;  be  at 
all  times  friendly  towards  them,  and  if  they  are  weak  and 
sick,  assist  and  minister  to  them ;  get  others  to  serve  in  their 
place,  without  detriment  to  them  ;  till  the  Lord  take  them 
hence,  or  restore  them  to  health;  sympathize  with,  and  be 
merciful  towards  them,  assist  them  in  all  their  need  ;  lift  not 
your  hearts  above  them,  do  not  despise  them,  for  they  are  your 
brethren  according  to  the  flesh.  In  short,  be  you  so  minded  in 
love  towards  them  as  Christ  was  towards  you.    Remember, 


OP  THE  FAITH  OP  ZACCHEUS  THE  PUBLICAN.  21 1 

that  we  also  have  a  Lord  in  heaven,  before  whose  judgment- 
seat  we  must  appear  and  render  an  account  of  all  our  works. 
(Eph.  6  ;  Col.  3  ;  Rom.  2,  14  ;  2  Cor.  5.) 

But  if  they  are  wanton  and  obstinate,  and  will  not  hear  nor 
follow  your  admonition  and  counsel,  would  rule  and  not  serve  ; 
waste  their  time  and  not  -labor  industriously  ;  are  unfaithful, 
resist  and  murmur  ;  ruin  your  house  and  children,  are  roguish, 
«&c.  ;  then  agree  with  them  and  bring  the  matter  touching  their 
wages  before  two  or  three  witnesses,  so  that  the  blame  may 
not  rest  upon  you,  and  the  word  of  the  Lord  be  not  evil  spoken 
of.  In  such  case  then  let  them  be  dismissed,  that  your  good 
conscience  be  not  disturbed  on  their  account,  and  your  house 
and  children  be  not  depraved.  Yea,  my  brethren,  you  should  do 
to  your  poor  hirelings  even  as  you  desire  that  it  should  be  done 
to  you,  being  called  with  them.  This  the  law  and  the  proph- 
ets teach.     (Matt.  7.) 


OF  THE  FAITH  OF   ZACCHEUS  THE   PUB- 
LICAN. 

It  happened,  says  Luke,  that  Jesus  passed  through  Jericho  ; 
and  behold  there  was  a  man  called  Zaccheus,  chief  among  the 
publicans,  (or  public  sinners, )  and  he  was  rich,  and  besought  to 
see  Jesus,  who  he  was,  but  could  not  for  the  press,  because  he 
was  little  of  stature  ;  and  he  ran  before  and  climbed  up  into  a 
sycamore  tree,  or  as  some  say,  upon  a  wild  olive  tree,  to  see 
him  ;  for  he  was  to  pass  that  way — and  when  Jesus  came  to  the 
place,  he  looked  up  and  saw  him,  and  said  to  him  :  Zaccheus, 
make  haste,  and  come  down,  for  to-day  I  must  abide  at  thy 
house.  And  he  made  haste  and  came  down,  and  received  him 
joyfully,  and  said  to  him  :  Behold,  Lord,  the  half  of  my  goods 
I  give  to  the  poor  ;  and  if  I  have  taken  anything  from  any  man 
by  false  accusation,  I  restore  him  four  fold.  Jesus  said  to 
him  :  This  day  is  salvation  come  to  this  house,  forasmuch  as  he 
is  also  a  son  of  Abraham.     (Luke  19.) 

Paul  says  :  For  whatsoever  things  were  written  afore  time 
were  written  for  our  instruction  ;  (Rom.  15;)  and  though  we 
know  Zaccheus's  faith,  fruit,  mercy,  love  and  true  conver- 
version,  it  avails  us  nothing  if  we  do  not  iDractice  and  come  up 
to  his  faith,  with  its  contrite,  pious  fruits.  I  therefore  entreat 
all  my  readers  who  live  openly  in  sin  ;  all  the  wealthy,  avari- 
cious, aU  unrighteous  merchants  and  grocers;  all  financiers  and 


213  OF  TBE  FAITH  OF  ZACCHEUS  THE  PUBLICAN. 

bankers,  all  who  love  money  ;  judges,  lawyers  and  advocates; 
all  preachers,  priests  and  monks;  all  drunkards,  hosts  and 
guests,  together  with  all  those  who  deal  in  unlawful  gain.  I 
entreat  all  by  the  love  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ, 
that  they  would  take  notice  of,  with  an  understanding  heart, 
this  history  and  narrative  touching  Zaccheus,  in  order  that 
they  may  learn  therefrom  that  they  do  not  yet  possess  the 
right,  true  faith  and  that  Christianity  which  avails  with  God; 
and  that  they  have  nothing  but  a  fruitless,  vain  boasting  of 
Christ  and  of  faith. 

Zaccheus  was  chief  of  the  pubhcans,  and  he  received  Christ 
joyfully  in  his  house  and  heart.  He  believed  and  was  renew- 
ed ;  he  reformed  his  life,  and  departed  from  his  former  evil 
ways.  But  it  is  clearer  than  daylight  that  our  open  transgres- 
sors do  not  reform  their  old  ungoldly  life,  and  hence  they  de- 
sire not  Christ  and  his  faith  of  which  they  boast. 

Zaccheus  was  rich,  and  one-half  of  his  wealth  he  gave  to  the 
poor.  But  our  rich  people  seek  more  and  more  how  they  may 
increase  their  money  and  possessions,  build  their  houses  splen- 
didly, and  add  farm  to  farm.  They  do  not  defend  the  cause  of 
the  poor  and  needy — they  are  unmerciful,  proud,  avaricious 
and  wanton ;  do  not  remember  what  is  written  concerning 
them :  Go  to  now,  ye  rich  men,  weep  and  howl  for  your  miser- 
ies that  shall  come  upon  you;  your  riches  are  corrupted,  and  your 
garments  are  moth-eaten;  your  gold  and  silver  are  cankered, 
and  the  rust  of  them  shall  be  a  witness  against  you,  and  shall  eat 
your  flesh  as  it  were  fire.  (James  5.)  Neither  do  you  reflect  on 
what  David  says  :  I  have  seen  the  wicked  in  great  power,  and 
spre  ading  himself  like  the  green  bay-tree;  yet  he  passed  away, 
and  lo,  he  was  not  :  yea,  I  sought  him,  but  he  could  not  be 
found.  (Ps.  37).)  Ah!  what  a  hard  saying  which  the  Lord 
uttered  :  Wo  unto  you  that  are  rich,  for  ye  have  received  your 
consolation.  (Luke  6.)  It  is  easier,  says  he,  for  a  camel  to 
pass  through  the  eye  of  a  needle,  than  for  a  rich  man  to  enter 
into  the  kingdom  of  God.     (Matt  19;  Mark  10.) 

Zaccheus  said  to  the  Lord  :  if  I  have  taken  anything  from 
any  man  by  false  accusation  I  restore  it  to  him  four  fold .  But 
our  miserably  avaricious  never  desist  defrauding  their  neigh- 
bor. For  the  whole  world,  both  man  and  woman,  are  so  greedy 
after  unlawful  gain  that  it  cannot  be  fully  thought  of,  related 
or  described. 

Lords  and  princes  daily  invent  new  sins  and  practices,  that 
they  may  increase  their  dominions,  interests,  tolls  and  rents. 
They  impose  upon  and  exact,  hoard  up  and  seize,  without 
bounds  or  mercy  ;  they  draw  the  very  marrow  from  the  bones 
of  the  poor,  and  show  by  their  actions  that  they  are  compan- 
ions of  those  of  whom  it  is  written  :  Thy  princes  are  rebellious, 


OJ*  TflE  FAITH  OF  ZACCHEtJS  THE  PUBLICAN.  213 

and  companions  of  thieves,  &c.  (Isa.  1.)  O,  that  he  knew 
Christ,  would  repent,  cease  to  do  evil,  and  would  reflect  more 
on  love. 

Judges,  lawyers  and  advocates  also  seek  all  artifice  and  ad- 
vantage to  entrap;  for  they  all  serve  for  gifts  and  money,  with 
few  exceptions;  for  if  they  did  not  expect  profit  or  gain  I  am 
persuaded  that  burgomasters  and  judges  would  be  few  in  the 
whole  empire.  For  the  sake  of  gain,  they  sit  and  judge,  and 
they  often  encourage  causes  for  the  sake  of  a  fee.  Some  of  them 
pei-vert  law  and  right  for  a  gift's  sake,  and  do  not  reflect  what 
Jehosaphat  said  to  the  judges:  Take  heed  what  ye  do;  for  ye 
judge  not  for  man,  but  for  the  Lord,  who  is  with  you  in  judg- 
ment; wherefore  now  let  the  fear  of  the  Lord  be  upon  you; 
take  heed  and  do  it;  for  there  is  no  iniquity  with  the  Lord  our 
God,  nor  respect  of  persons,  nor  taking  of  gifts.  (2  Chron.  19.) 

Captains,  riders,  servants  and  such  like  bloody  men,  are  ready 
to  serve  for  gain's  sake,  swear  that  they  will  destroy  cities  and 
countries,  take  citizens  and  inhabitants,  kill  them  and  take  their 
possessions  from  them,  although  they  never  harmed  them,  nor 
gave  them  provocation.  O  God!  what  execrated,  ungodly 
abominations  and  traffic.  And  still  it  must  be  said  that  they 
protect  the  country  and  people,  and  that  they  assist  in  admin- 
istering justice  I 

Priests,  monks  and  preachers  are  equally  bent  upon  unlawful 
gain.  They  are  not  shocked  to  make,  alas,  God's  only  and  first 
begotten  Son,  his  eternal  Wisdom,  the  one  and  only  foundation 
of  heaven  and  earth,  Jesus  Christ,  with  his  holy  apostles,  to  be 
open  false  witnesses,  heretics,  and  deceivers;  for  Christ  says: 
He  that  believeth  and  is  baptized,  shall  be  saved.  (Luke  16.) 
But  they  say:  He  that  believeth  and  is  baptized  is  a  heretic,  and 
shall  be  damned.  Christ  says:  But  if  thou  loilt  enter  into  life^ 
keep  the  commandments.  (Matt.  19.)  But  they  say:  None  can 
keep  God^s  commandments. 

Paul  says,  (Rom.  8,)  If  ye  live  according  to  the  flesh  ye  shall 
die.  Again:  neither  the  unrighteous  nor  the  covetous,  nor 
drunkards,  nor  revilers,  nor  fornicators,  proud,  avaricious,  the 
unchaste  and  the  like,  shall  inlierit  the  kingdom  of  God. 
(1  Cor.  6.)  But  they  say:  We  are  poor  sinners — who  can  always 
live  as  the  scriptures  teach?  Christ  died  for  sinners,  and  the 
like  consolations,  whereby  they  deny  Christ  and  his  word,  and 
thus  they  encourage  the  whole  world,  rich  and  poor,  great  and 
small,  in  tlieir  hardened  and  wicked  life,  that  there  are,  alas,  few 
who  truly  repent,  or  seek  after  God:  they  preach  what  the 
ignorant  blind  world  desires,  that  they  may  quietly  enjoy  Ba- 
laam's  reward  in  cloisters,  that  they  may  lead  an  epicurian  life 
without  care,  and  they,  poor  creatures,  know  not  that  they  are 
thoseof  whom  it  is  written:  Wo  unto  them!  for  they  have  gone 


214  OP  THE  FAITH  OF  ZACCHEUS  THE  PUBLICAN. 

in  the  way  of  Cain,  and  ran  greedily  after  the  error  of  Balaam 
for  reward,  and  perished  in  the  gainsaying  of  Core.  (Jude  1.) 
Accursed  people.    (2  Pet.  2.)     O  God  that  they  would  beware! 

The  unrighteous  merchants  and  grocers,  I  say  the  unright- 
eous, for  I  do  not  mean  those  who  are  righteous  and  pious, 
together  with  all  those  who  are  avaricious  and  bent  upon  ac- 
cursed gain,  so  that  they  exclude  God  from  their  hearts ;  for  if 
they  buy  any  thing,  they  say  it  is  worth  but  little,  but  when  they 
have  it  praiiie  and  recommend  it  as  the  best  article;  thus  they 
defame  what  they  should  praise,  and  praise  what  they  should 
with  propriety  esteem  not  at  all.  Lying  and  swearing,  using 
many  vain  words,  they  adulterate  their  goods  in  order  that  they 
may  defraud  the  people;  sell,  lend  and  trust  to  the  needy  with 
great  gain  and  usury — never  reflecting,  that  it  is  written:  If 
thou  sell  aught  to  thy  neighbor,  or  buyest  aught  of  thy  neigh- 
bor's hand,  ye  shall  not  oppress  one  another.     (Lev.  25.) 

I  would  that  they  might  more  seriously  lay  to  heart  Sirach's 
doctrine:  A  merchant  shall  hardly  keep  himself  from  doing 
wrong:  and  a  huckster  shall  not  be  freed  from  sin:  for  many 
have  sinned  for  a  small  matter:  and  he  that  seeketh  for  abund- 
ance will  turn  his  eyes  away;  as  a  nail  sticketh  fast  between 
the  joinings  of  the  stones,  so  doth  sin  stick  close  between  sell- 
ing and  buying.  Unless  a  man  hold  himself  diligently  in  the 
fear  of  the  Lord,  his  house  shall  soon  be  overthrown.  (Ecc. 
26,  27.) 

This  I  write  as  a  warning  to  the  God-fearing  merchants  and 
gi'ocers,  so  that  they  will  not  imitate  the  ungodly,  lest  they  be 
overcome  by  avarice,  but  be  circumspect  in  dealing  and  beware 
of  dangers. 

Some  are  made  thieves,  some  murderers  and  robbers,  others 
jugglers,  necromancers,  some  are  whoremongers,  others  gam- 
blers, others  are  betrayers,  others  become  executioners  and 
tormentors,  and  also  some  persecutors  and  slayers  of  the  pious, 
&c.  And,  I  say,  all  do  this  for  accursed  gain's^ake.  Whereby 
they  openly  testify,  because  they  walk  in  such  a  way  and  are  so 
bent  upon  unlawful  gain,  that  they  are  of  the  devil  and  not  of 
God,  that  they  have  not  the  faith  and  word  of  Christ,  but  are 
in  every  respect  inimical  and  opposed  thereto. 

Yes,  kind  reader,  the  whole  world  is  so  contaminated  and  in- 
volved with  this  accursed  avarice,  fr^ud,  false  practices  and 
unbecoming  gain,  with  this  false  traffic  and  merchandise,  with 
this  finance,  usury  and  self-interest,  that  I  scarcely  tyiow  how 
it  could  be  worse;. nevertheless,  all  the  priests  and  preachers 
are  called  good  Christians,  and  it  is  said  that  they,  get  their 
bread  honestly  and  do  justice  to  all. 

Ah!  my  reader,  how  far  all  this  is  from  Zaccheus's  faith,  dis- 
position and  converted  life!  For  if  they  had  the  mind,  faith  and 


OF  THE  FAITH  OF  ZACCHEUS  THE  PUBLICAN.  2l5 

power  of  Zaccheus,  (wliicli  we  must  have,  would  we  ever  be 
saved, )  it  is  my  opinion  there  would  be  few  lords  and  princes  in 
their  great  power  and  splendid  living,  there  would  be  few  riders 
and  servants  engaged  in  deeds  of  blood,  there  would  be  few 
judges,  lawyers  and  advocates  in  their  court-houses  and  offices, 
few  rich  would  use  their  riches  unlawfully,  few  merchants  and 
grocers  engaged  in  their  usury  and  dangerous  business,  and  but 
few  preachers,  priests  and  monks  in  their  larders,  easy  life  and 
cloisters.  There  would  soon  be  a  different  state  of  things  ;  be- 
cause it  cannot  be,  but  that  the  righteous  live  by  faith.  (Hab. 
3  :  Rom.  1 ;  Gal.  3  ;  Heb.  10.)  Yea,  they  would  with  joyful 
heart,  say  with  Zaccheus  :  The  poor  we  willingly  serve  with 
our  goods,  and  if  we  have  defrauded  any  one  we  will  gladly 
satisfy  Kim. 

For  all  who,  like  Zaccheus,  rightly  receive  Jesus  Christ  in 
the  house  of  their  consciences,  rightly  receive  the  word  of 
Christ  as  he  did,  and  be  also  truly  born  through  the  word,  are 
rightly  influenced  by  the  spirit  of  Christ,  are  of  the  same  mind 
with  Christ,  and,  therefore,  it  is  impossible  that  they  could  de- 
fraud any  one  even  of  a  farthing  ;  so  that  we  see  that  the  dis- 
position of  all  true  believers  is  to  injure  none  on  earth  ;  but,  as 
much  as  in  them  is,  they  assist  all ;  will  defraud  none,  but  do 
justice  to  all,  &c.,  even  as  Paul  says:  Let  him  that  stole  steal 
no  more  ;  but  rather  let  him  labor,  working  with  his  hands  the 
thing  which  is  good  ;  that  he  may  have  to  give  to  him  that 
needeth.     (Eph.  4.) 

But  why  say  much  ?  For  my  part  I  do  not  know  where  to 
find  the  mighty,  the  rich — in  what  courts  we  can  find  judges, 
lawyers  and  advocates — and  in  what  cities  and  countries,  mer- 
chants and  grocers — or  what  cloisters  and  churches  we  can 
look  for  preachers,  priests  and  monks — who  rightly  believe  and 
follow  Christ ;  who,  being  regenerated,  penitent  and  pious, 
desist  from  all  improper  practices,  fraud,  over-reaching  and 
unlawful  gain,  and  say  with  Zaccheus  :  Those  whom  we  de- 
frauded we  will  repay  four-fold.  The  prophet  complains  that 
every  one  from  the  least  even  unto  the  greatest  is  given  to 
covetousness.     (Jer.  8.) 

Since  then  they  are  determined  upon  the  accursed,  abomina- 
ble avarice,  and  deal  so  rougl\ly  and  diametrically  contrary  to 
love,  and  none  any  where  repent,  hence,  it  is  also  evident  that 
they  are  not  in  the  church  and  community  of  Christ ;  for 
Christ's  church  and  community  are  called  his  body  and  bride. 
If  the  church  be  his  body  she  must  then  be  flesh  of  his  flesh, 
and  bone  of  his  bone  ;  and  if  she  be  his  bride  she  must  be  of 
his  generation,  be  righteous,  holy,  meek,  chaste,  true,  lovely, 
merciful ;  yea,  hear  and  be  obedient  to  his  voice.  (John  3  ;  1 
Cor.  2 ;  Eph.  1  ;  Rev.  19 ;  Eph.  5.;    And,  therefore,   Christ 


216      OP  THE  FAITH  OF  THE  THIEF  AND  MUEDERER. 

cannot  admit  of  any  other  members  in  his  church  but  those 
who  are  of  one  heart,  spirit  and  soul  with  him,  partakers  of 
his  spirit,  who  are  dead  to  all  unrighteousness,  bury  the  old 
evil  life  of  sin,  walk  by  faith,  unblamably  in  love,  receive  the 
truth  joyfully,  heartily  to  serve  their  neighbor,  as  did  this  be- 
lieving, regenerated  and  renewed  Zaccheus. 

He  desired  to  see  Christ,  and  received  him  with  joy  ;  he  be- 
lieved his  word  and  abandoned  his  ungodly  life  ;  he  ministered 
to  the  poor,  and  reconciled  those  whom  he  had  defrauded.  In 
short,  he  proved  himself  to  be  a  pious,  sincere,  regenerated 
child  of  God  in  all  his  actions ;  and  therefore  he  heard  the 
peaceable  word  of  divine  grace :  This  day  is  salvation  come  to 
this  house,  forasmuch  as  he  also  is  a  son  of  Abraham.  (Luke  19.) 

Behold,  worthy  reader,  those  who  are  such  believing,  peni- 
tent and  renewed  Zaccheuses,  thus  walking  in  love,  belong  to 
the  Lord's  community  and  body,  as  Christ  himself  says  : 
Hereby  men  shall  know  that  you  are  my  disciples,  if  ye  love 
one  another.  CJohn  13)  They  are  the  living  stones  of  the  Lord's 
temple,  (John  13  ;  1  Pet.  2,)  and  the  true  citizens  of  Jerusalem; 
in  which  neither  dogs,  nor  sorcerers,  nor  whoremongers,  nor 
murderers,  nor  idolators,  nor  whosoever  loveth  and  maketh  a 
lie  have  part.  (Rev.  22.^  Yea,  as  long  as  Zaccheus  was  such 
a  one  he  was  without ;  for  such,  says  Paul,  have  neither  lot  nor 
part  in  the  kingdom  of  God  and  of  Christ.     (1  Cor.  6.) 

But  as  soon  as  he  believed  the  word  of  the  Lord,  through 
faith  repented  and  turned  himself  to  love,  from  that  hour  he 
was  entitled  to  citizenship  of  Christ  himself,  the  path  of  life 
was  opened  to  him,  peace  declared,  salvation  bestowed,  and 
was  acknowledged  and  received  as  a  joint-heir  of  grace,  and  a 
child  of  God,  as  the  Lord  says  :  This  day  is  salvation  come  to 
this  house,  Sfc.  For  as  Christ  is  holy  so  must  also  his  children, 
brethren,  members,  community  and  bride  be  holy ;  (1  Pet.  1,) 
for  as  it  is  written  :  Be  ye  holy,  for  I  am  holy.     CLev.  11,  19.) 


OF  THE  FAITH  OF  THE  THIEF  AND  MUR- 
DERBR. 

The  evangelists  teach  that  there  were  two  malefactors 
crucified  with  Christ ;  the  one  on  the  right,  and  the  other  on 
his  left.  And  one  of  them  reviled  him  and  said  :  If  thou  art 
the  Christ  save  thyself  and  us  ;  but  the  other  reproved  him 
and  said  :  Dost  thou  not  fear  God,  seeing  thou  art  in  the  same 


OJ?  THE  FAITH  OF  THE  THIEF  AND  MURDERER.  217 

condemnation?  and  we,  indeed,  justly,  for  we  receive  the  due 
reward  of  our  deeds  ;  but  this  man  hath  done  nothing  amiss. 
And  he  said  unto  Jesus,  Lord,  remember  me  when  thou  comest 
into  thy  kingdom.  And  Jesus  said  unto  him,  verily  this  day 
thou  shalt  be  with  me  in  Paradise.     (Luke  23.) 

Good  reader,  observe  particularly  what  I  say.  When  we 
critically  view  the  confession  of  this  evil  doer  we  are  astonished 
at  the  great  power,  the  good  nature,  the  abundance  of  fruit, 
spiritual  vision,  energetic  love  and  the  free  confession  of  his 
faith.  It  is  evident  that  he  had  been  an  abandoned  vagrant — 
an  ungodly  reprobate,  who  neither  knew  nor  feared  God,  but 
maliciously  committed  all  manner  of  sins,  robbed  his  neighbor 
of  his  goods  and  shed  his  blood.  For  Mathew  and  Mark  call 
htm  a  murderer,  and  Luke  calls  him  a  malefactor.  This  appears 
to  be  the  case,  as  he  testifies  himself  that  he  had  to  die  for 
crimes  which  he  had  committed.  ■* 

Notwithstanding  all  this,  as  soon  as  this  malefactor,  extended 
on  the  cross  between  Jerusalem  and  Mount  Calvary,  heard  in 
his  last  distress  the  word  of  God  from  the  mouth  of  the  Lord, 
it  wrought  in  him  so  powerfully  that  his  heart  within  him  was 
touched  and  changed,  which  led  him  to  seek,  from  that  moment, 
the  salvation  of  his  fellow-men  and  he  rebuked  his  reviling  com- 
panion, saying:  Fearest  thou  not  God?  He  confessed  his  own 
sins  and  his  maliciousness,  saying:  We  are  receiving  according 
to  our  merits  and  works;  and  he  acknowledged  the  condemned 
Jesus  (who  was  cursed  to  die  on  the  cross  as  one  of  the  most 
abandoned  malefactors,  by  the  chief  priests,  pharisees  and 
scribes,  and  denied  of  the  people  and  condemned  to  death),  to 
be  innocent,  righteous,*  pure  and  without  sin,  saying:  This  one 
has  done  no  evil.  Besides  this,  he  also  sought  grace  and  mercy 
of  him,  although  it  appeared  to  human  understanding  that  he 
was  denied  all  mercy,  and  every  favor  both  by  God  and  men. 
For  he  was  at  this  time  the  most  rejected  and  despised  of  all 
men,  as  the  prophet  laments,  (Isa.  53,)  and  the  thief  applied  to 
none  other,  in  heaven  or  upon  earth,  than  to  this  poor,  despised, 
accursed  and  crucified  Jesus;  in  full  confidence  drawing  near  to 
him  as  to  the  throne  of  divine  grace,  that  he  might  obtain  the 
remission  of  his  sins,  saying:  Lord,  remember  me  when  thou 
comest  into  thy  kmgdom. 

I  think  this  may  justly  be  called  a  trae  Christian  faith,  and 
a  truly  worthy  fruit  of  penitence  and  repentance;  and  it  was 
nothing  else  to  the  Lord  but  a  refreshing  of  his  panting  soul, 
as  a  mollifying  of  his  deep  wounds,  as  a  consolation  of  his  sore 
distress,  and  as  a  comfort  in  his  painful  sufferings  and  cruel 
death,  so  that  he  in  the  same  hour  heard  the  consoling,  joyful 
word  of  divine  grace  and  eternal  peace,  from  Jesus,  namely: 
Fear  not,  all  thy  sins  which  thou  didst  commit  in  thy  ignorance 

10 


^18  OP  THE  FAITH  OP  tMe  THIEP  ANt)  MtjRDEREfe. 

are  all  covered,  they  shall  never  more  be  remembered,  either 
by  me  or  my  Father.  I  pledge  my  innocent  blood  as  an 
earnest — therefore,  be  of  good  cheer,  what  thou  didst  desire 
thou  hast  already  obtained:  To-day  shalt  thou  be  with  me  in 
Paradise. 

Behold,  my  reader,  here  you  have  in  the  thief  mentioned  a 
fair  example  of  a  sincere  Christian  faith,  with  its  properties, 
power  and  fruits.  With  this  same  thief  many  vain  despisers 
comfort  and  flatter  themselves  in  their  sinful  and  impenitent 
lives,  think  and  say  to  themselves:  God  is  merciful;  he  knows 
that  we  are  the  children  of  Adam  and  cannot  live  as  the  scrip- 
tures require,  still  we  hope  by  his  grace  to  be  saved  as  the  thief 
was.  And  these  poor  creatures  know  not  that  the  thief  will 
be  a  sore  condemnation  to  them;  because  they  hear  the  word 
of  the  Lo^  so  often,  and  believe  it  not  nor  are  they  obedient. 
Ah!  reader!  do  not  thus  trifle  and  mock  God;  I  fear  many  will 
fail  in  their  hopes  in  this  matter. 

Again,  I  say,  that  all  wilful  despisers  who  thus  say  and  thus 
think,  in  their  hearts,  must  be  eternally  convicted  by  this  thief 
and  shall  stand  confounded.  For  as  soon  as  he  heard  the 
gospel  of  grace  he  received  it  in  a  pure  conscience,  through 
faith,  and  became  penitent,  regenerated  and  pious.  And  these 
hear  it  from  year  to  year,  see  daily  so  many  fair  fruits,  and  that 
it  is  so  gloriously  testified  by  possessions  and  blood;  neverthe- 
less, they  remain  unbelievers  and  are  hardened  in  sin;  for  they 
reject  the  inviting  grace,  they  resist  the  operating  spirit,  they 
contemn  the  preached  word,  they  trample  under  foot  the  prof- 
fered gift.  Say!  where  is  the  scriptures  whereby  we  may 
comfort  such  unreasonable,  shameful  scorners,  or  promise  and 
proclaim  to  them  the  grace  and  peace  of  the  Lord? 

For,  I  fear,  they  are  the  sterile,  unfruitful  earth,  of  which 
Paul  speaks,  which  drinketh  in  the  rain  of  the  holy  divine  word 
that  cometh  oft  upon  it,  and,  nevertheless,  bears  only  thorns  and 
briers,  are  rejected  and  nigh  unto  cursing,  who  are  to  be  burned. 
(Heb.  6.)  They  are  those  of  whom  wisdom  complains  andsaj^s: 
How  long,  ye  simple  ones,  will  ye  love  simplicity?  and  ye 
scorners  delight  in  your  scorning  and  fools  hate  knowledge? 
Because,  I  have  called  and  ye  refused;  I  have  stretched  out  my 
hand  and  no  man  regarded;  but  ye  have  set  at  naught  all  my 
counsel  and  would  none  of  my  reproof:  I,  also,  will  laugh  at 
your  calamity;  I  will  mock  when  fear  cometh  and  when  distress 
and  anguish  come  upon  you;  then  ye  shall  call  upon  me,  but  I  will 
not  answer.  (Prov.  1.)  But,  because  they  do  not  look  for  light, 
he  will  turn  it  into  the  shadow  of  death  and  make  it  gross 
darkness.     (Jer.  13.) 

The  thief  believed  as  soon  as  he  heard.  O!  that  they  would 
do  so,  and  think  upon  what  David  said:  To-day,  if  ye  will  hear 


OF  THE  FAITH  OF  THE  THIEF  AND  MTJEBERER.  319 

his  voice,  harden  not  your  hearts  as  in  the  day  of  provocation. 
(Ps.  94;Heb.  3.) 

The  thief,  I  say,  heard  but  once  and  believed,  and  these  hear 
it  so  often;  still  they  believe  not.  He  heard  and  was  changed; 
but  these  hear  and  continue  the  same;  they  harden  their  hearts, 
the  longer  the  more. 

The  thief  reproved  his  reviling  companion,  and  admonished 
him  that  he  should  fear  God  ;  but  these  blaspheme  and  revile 
all  the  faithful  who  do  so  ;  and  love  those  who  hate  the  truth. 

The  thief  unreservedly  confessed  his  sins  and  wickedness 
without  fear ;  but  these,  no  matter  howsoever  avaricious, 
drunken,  proud,  unchaste,  unclean,  envious  and  idolatrous 
they  are,  do  not  confess  their  transgressions  and  sins,  and  when 
they  are  called  to  repent  and  to  reform  they  say:  Yea,  what  have 
we  done  ? 

The  thief  acknowledged  that  Christ's  kingdom  was  not 
earthly,  for  he  said :  whe7i  thou  comest  into  thy  kingdom  ;  but 
these  have  all  their  pleasures  in  gold  and  silver,  in  eating  and 
drinking,  in  splendor  and  wantonness,  and  in  the  perishable, 
visible  riches  of  the  world ;  do  not  regard  the  invisible,  eternal 
riches,  which  Christ  out  of  grace  has  bestowed  upon  all  his  be- 
lievers, and  merited  them  by  the  shedding  of  his  precious 
blood. 

The  thief  confessed  the  poor,  condemned,  crucified  Jesus 
before  all  the  rulers,  priests,  Pharisees  and  before  the  people, 
and  acknowledged  him  as  his  Saviour  and  Lord;  but  these,  alas! 
deny  his  almighty  Majesty,  his  heavenly  origin  and  glory,  and 
do  not  regard  his  wisdom,  spirit,  word,  ordinances,  command, 
sacraments  and  promises,  although  he  has  seated  himself  as  a 
triumphant  and  conquering  prince,  at  the  right  hand  of  the 
Father,  and  has  received  all  might  and  power,  both  in  heaven 
and  upon  earth,  in  eternal  glory  of  the  Father.  (Heb.  1,  8,  10; 
Eph.  1;  Matt.  28.) 

The  thief  sought  mercy,  favor  and  the  forgiveness  of  his 
sins  of  Christ ;  and  these  seek  it  of  their  preachers,  priests  and 
monks,  through  masses,  confessions,  absolution,  bread  and 
wine,  holy  water  and  the  like  superstitions  and  abominations. 

The  thief  heard,  because  he  believed  on  Christ,  the  pleasing 
words  :  To-day  thou  shalt  be  with  me  in  Paradise :  but  these 
must  hear,  because  they  believe  not  on  Christ,  the  dreadful, 
intolerable  and  awful  sentence  :  Depart  from  me  ye  cursed  into 
everlasting  fire.  (Matt.  25.)  For  their  faith  was  unlike,  un- 
like will  also  be  their  reward.  Let  all  mockers  take  this  to 
heart. 

And  thus,  finally,  (take  notice, )  will  this  penitent  sinner  rise 
up  against  them  (who  have  comforted  themselves  with  him  in 
their  sins, )  and  criminate  and  condemn  them  before  the  face  of 


220  OF  THE  FAITH  OF  THE  THIEF  AND  MURDERES. 

his  Majesty.  For  they  having  so  often  heard  the  sweet  melody 
of  the  divine  word  and  never  were  grateful— nor  ever  learned 
nor  believed  it  with  open  and  renewed  hearts  ;  but  the  thief,  I 
say,  heard  it  but  once  and  immediately  believed.  Ah  I  dear 
children,  beware  and  seek  Christ  while  he  may  be  found  and 
call  on  him  while  he  is  yet  near,  lest  his  anger  go  forth,  and 
the  fire  of  his  fierce  wrath  consume  you. 

Think  you,  O  perverted  scorners  !  that  you  can  receive  or 
reject  faith,  repentance,  sorrow  for  sin,  and  the  grace  of  God, 
at  pleasure  ?  O,  no  !  Holy  Paul  says  :  And  even  as  they  did  not 
like  to  retain  God  in  their  knowledge  God  gave  them  over  to  a 
reprobate  mind.  (Rom.  1.)  All  proud  scorners  shall  be  sen- 
tenced and  condemned.     Children,  beware! 

Notice  this  parable  :  There  is  a  very  rich  potentate,  emperor 
or  king,  whom  I,  through  geat  ignorance,  hated  all  my  days  ; 
ha  had  compassion  upon  me  because  I  am  such  a  poor  man;  he, 
through  his  faithful  servants,  tendered  me  not  only  his  great 
favor  and  friendship,  but  also  a  sum  of  gold,  many  precious 
stones  and  gems,  and  all  this  out  of  love  and  compassion  ;  and 
I  am  so  ungrateful  that  I  will  not  only  not  give  meat  and  drink 
to  the  faithful  servants  of  this  kind  prince,  who  loves  me  dear- 
ly for  these  great  favors  ;  but  I  turn  thercu  with  ignominy  and 
disgrace  out  of  doors,  throw  them  with  mud  and  stones,  put 
them  into  prison  and  bonds,  deprive  them  of  property  and  life, 
take  the  proffered  gifts  and  cast  them  from  me  and  trample 
them  under  foot,  &c.,  and  inform  the  prince  that  I  do  not 
now  desire  his  favors,  but  if  he  will  in  the  course  of  one  or  ten 
years  offer  them  again,  then  I  will  perhaps  think  upon  it,  and 
receive  them  and  tender  my  thanks  for  the  favors.  Now,  I  will 
allow  you  all  to  judge  me — whether  it  would  be  right  that  such 
a  prince  should  again  offer  his  favor  since  I  treated  him  and  his 
servants  so  perfidiously?  But  whether  he  should  not  much 
more  turn  his  favor  into  displeasure,  his  love  into  wrath,  toward 
me,  for  my  presumptuous  tyranny,  haughty  rejection  of  his 
favors,  and  severely  punish  me  ?  I  think  you  would  award  me 
his  punishment  and  not  his  grace. 

Thus  it  is  with  you,  O  you  scorners  !  The  merciful  Lord, 
whose  kingdom  and  grace  are  immense,  has  graciously  pitied  us 
in  these  abominable,  last  days,  and  had  compassion  on  our  great 
blindness  and  deadly  poverty,  (although  we  hated  his  holy  will 
from  our  infancy,)  and  through  his  faithful  servants  freely  gave 
us  his  beloved  Son  with  his  holy  word,  spirit,  merits,  ordinances 
and  example— tendered  us  his  grace,  peace  and  eternal  life,  to- 
gether with  the  remission  of  our  sins— he  dug  about  us  and 
fostered  us,  barren  trees,  for  three  long  years.  CLuke  13.)  He 
calls  and  teaches  daily,  through  his  chosen,  who  willingly  sacri- 
fice possessions  and  life  as  a  testimony  ;  he  puts  at  variance  the 


OP  THE  FAITH  OF  THE  THIEF  AND  MUIiDERER.  221 

father  against  the  son,  and  the  son  against  the  father ;  the 
mother  against  the  daughter,  and  the  daughter  against  the 
mother  ;  and  the  members  of  the  family  against  one  another  ; 
one  friend  against  another,  &c.  (Matt.  10.)  Some  he  suffers  to 
be  driven  about  in  strange  countries,  in  tribulation,  in  sorrow, 
in  misery,  in  fear,  in  want  and  in  vexation,  in  deserts  and  in 
mountains,  and  in  dens  and  in  caves  of  the  earth.  (Heb.  11.) 
He  gives  signs  in  the  sun,  and  in  the  moon,  and  at  the  stars, 
and  upon  the  earth,  earthquakes,  war,  pestilence,  new  diseases, 
famine,  and  unheard  of  wonders  upon  earth,  (Luke  21,)  that 
as  a  hen  gathers  her  chickens,  he  would  gather  us  under  the 
wings  of  his  love.  (Matt.  24. )  And  as  a  faithful  shepherd  of 
his  sheep  would  bring  us  to  the  right  fold  of  his  grace,  (Matt. 
23  ;  John  10  ;)  bring  us  into  the  chamber  of  his  covenant,  and 
kiss  us  with  the  lips  of  his  peace,  wash  us  from  all  our  unclean- 
ness,  and  make  us  his  bride,  (Cant.  1,)  redeem  us  from  the 
dominion  of  hell  and  death,  and  lead  us  into  the  kingdom  of 
heaven  and  of  eternal  life.  In  short,  that  he  release  us  from  the 
power  of  darkness  and  the  devil,  and  receive  us  and  make  us 
holy  as  his  chosen  cliildren  and  heirs.   (Eph.  1  ;  Col.  1.) 

But,  alas,  in  relation  to  you,  it  is  altogether  vain  for  (as  al- 
ready said)  his  proffered  grace  and  word  you  contemn  and  re- 
ject, you  persecute  and  kill  his  faithful  servants  and  ministers; 
you  defame  and  blaspheme  the  unblamable,  pious  life,  together 
with  the  confession  of  the  saints  ;  you  scoff  at  his  great  signs, 
wonders  and  reproofs,  and  your  faces  are  like  those  of  the  lech- 
erous, and  your  hearts  as  diamonds  ;  you  are  aieither  ashamed, 
nor  will  you  be  converted  ;  you  say  with  perverted  scorners  : 
Depart  from  us,  for  we  desire  not  the  knowledge  of  thy  ways. 
What  is  the  Almighty,  that  we  should  serve  him?  and  what 
profit  should  we  have,  if  we  pray  to  him '?  ( Jer.  2  ;  Zach.  7  ; 
Job  21.) 

Since  then  you  are  so  ungrateful,  and  prove  yourselves  to  be 
altogether  vain  and  insulting  against  God,  who  manifested  so 
great  mercy  towards  us,  that  you  wholly  reject  his  paternal  ad- 
monitions, reprovings,  doctrine  and  commands.  (Obedience  to 
his  holy  word,  the  innocent  blood  of  his  saints,  with  all  his 
great  powers  and  miracles,  you  esteem  as  idle  deception  and 
heresy  ;  you  regard  not  the  time  of  grace  ;  Christ  Jesus,  with 
his  holy  spirit,  gospel,  new  birth,  faith,  sacrament,  death  and 
blood,  with  all  his  other  spiritual  riches  and  heavenly  gifts,  and 
you  trample  them  so  unworthily  under  foot;  and  the  almighty, 
immortal,  one  and  eternal  God,  you  neither  fear  nor  seek,  love, 
honor,  praise  nor  serve  him  ;  still  you  hope  to  be  saved  with  the 
thief. 

So  I  do  warn  you  in  true  love,  while  it  is  yet  time.  Your 
hope  will  fail  you,  for  when  you  think  to  find  him,  he  will  then 


232     OF  THE  FAITH  OF  THE  THIEF  AND  MURDERER. 

hide  himself  from  you  ;  he  will  turn  his  fierce  countenance  up- 
on you,  as  the  scriptures  say  :  Then  shall  they  call  upon  me, 
but  I  will  not  answer  ;  they  shall  seek  me  early,  but  they  shall 
not  find  me.     (Prov.  1.) 

I  therefore  entreat  and  exhort  my  readers  in  general :  Hear 
while  you  have  ears,  and  see  while  you  have  eyes  ;  understand 
while  you  have  hearts;  awaken  and  watch  while  you  have  time 
and  space,  lest  your  ears,  eyes  and  hearts,  and  opportunities  be 
taken  from  you,  and  you  become  deaf,  bUnd,  impenitent,  har- 
dened and  perverted. 

Friends,  beware  !  now  it  is  to-day,  yesterday  is  past,  and 
to-morrow  is  not  promised  us.  Short  is  the  time  ;  behold,  the 
judge  is  at  the  door,  therefore  delay  not  to  turn  to  the  Lord, 
and  defer  it  not  from  one  day  to  another.  (1  Cor.  7;  James  5.) 
For  his  Avrath  will  soon  overtake  you.  (Sirach  8.)  Late  re- 
pfentence,  says  Augustine,  is  seldom  true;  but  if  true,  it  never 
is  to  late.  Repent  while  you  enjoy  health,  says  he,  that  you 
may  be  certain. 

Therefore,  do  as  did  the  thief  or  murderer,  for  as  soon  as  he 
heard  he  believed.  Do  you  also  thus  hear  and  thus  believe, 
for  the  eyes  of  the  Lord  are  upon  the  faithful.  CJer.  5.)  Those 
who  are  hungering  and  thirsting  after  righteousness  shall  be 
filled  ;  those  who  seek  shall  find  ;  those  who  desire  shall  receive; 
those  who  knock  to  them  it  shall  it  be  opened.  (Matt.  5.) 
But  if  you  refuse  when  he  seeks  you,  to  give  you  his  grace,  he 
will  then  also  refuse  when  you  seek  him,  and  would  fain  obtain 
his  grace.  Whosoever  despises  me,  says  the  Lord,  him  will  I 
again  despise.  (1  Sam,  2.) 

Therefore,  I  say,  seek  while  it  is  day,  that  you  may  find  ; 
ask,  that  you  may  receive  :  hear,  that  you  may  believe;  believe, 
that  you  may  do  ;  and  do,  that  you  may  live  ;  for,  from  hearing, 
faith  comes  ;  out  of  faith,  doctrine  ;  on  obedience,  the  fulfil- 
ment of  the  promise  depends.  (Rom.  10  ;  Gal.  5  ;  Matt  7  ;  John 
15;  James  2  ;  1  Cor.  7.) 

For  this  reason  all  things  are  imputed  to  faith  in  the  scrip- 
tures ;  such  as  true  repentence,  tlie  new  birth,  santification  of 
the  heart ;  the  righteousness  which  avails  before  God ;  the 
blessing.  (John  1  ;  Acts  2,  15  ;  Rom.  3,  5, 10  ;  Gal.  3  ;  Mark  16; 
John  3.  )  For  faith  is  the  source  and  cause  of  all  good,  as 
is  fully  related. 

Seeing,  then,  that  this  is  the[true  ground  of  the  scriptures,  as 
we  have  briefly  explained,  you  will  then  have  to  confess  that 
all  wilful  scorners  are  put  to  shame  in  their  doings,  by  the 
thief,  and  that  he  will  be  their  accuser  in  the  day  of  the  Lord, 
as  the  Lord  says  of  the  Ninevites  and  of  the  Queen  of  the 
South.     (Matt.  12  ;  Luke  11.) 

But  all  who  hear  and  believe  the  word  of  Christ,  and  are 


OF  THE  FAITH  OF  THE  SINFUL  WOMAN.  223 

turned  by  tho  power  of  faith  with  all  their  hearts  to  Christ,  ac- 
knowledge Christ  openly,  by  an  unblamable  life,  before  all  the 
world,  confidently  seek  his  grace  and  mercy,  &c.,  to  them  he 
is  a  glorious  comforter,  a  precious  balm  and  liniment  in  their 
troubled  and  wounded  consciences,  by  which  they  may  see  and 
know  God's  unbounded  favor,  mercy  and  love  towards  all  truly 
penitent  sinners,  if  they  have  sinned  ever  so  long  and  henious- 
Iv,  that  they  by  faith  may  satisfy  their  souls  with  him,  and  not 
doubt  the  grace  of  God  on  account  of  their  sinful  lives  in  which 
they  ever  walked;  for  the  Lord  did  not  withhold  his  grace, 
nor  did  he  say:  No,  thief,  your  sins  are  too  great  and  nume- 
rous, and  you  also  sinned  too  long.  But  as  soon  as  he  saw  his 
new  heart,  and  heard  him  confessing,  he  bestowed  his  grace 
upon  the  poor,  distressed  sinner,  and  forgave  him  all  his  sins, 
and  said :  To-day  thou  shalt  be  with  me  in  Paradise;  for  he 
thai  believeth  on  me  has  eternal  life.  (John  3,  6,  7,  11.)  The 
prophet  also  says :  If  the  unrighteous  turn  from  his  unrighteous- 
ness and  does  righteousness,  I  will  not  remember  his  un- 
righteousness which  he  did. 


OF  THE  FAITH  OF  THE  SINFUL  WOMAN. 

Luke  says  that  there  was  a  Pharisee  who  invited  Christ 
to  eat  with  him,  and  he  went  into  his  house  and  sat  down  to 
meat ;  behold,  a  woman  of  the  city,  who  was  a  sinner,  brought 
an  alabaster  box  of  ointment,  and  stood  at  his  feet  behind  him, 
weeping,  and  began  to  wash  his  feet  with  tears,  and  did  wipe 
them  with  the  hairs  of  her  head,  and  kissed  his  feet  and  an- 
nointed  them  with  the  ointment.  (Luke  7.) 

Here  we  again  learn  to  know,  in  the  case  of  this  sinner,  what 
kind  of  a  heart  and  disposition,  fruit  and  life,  a  sincere,  true 
Christian  faith  produces.  She  was  possessed  of  seven  devils,  (if 
she  was  the  woman  called  Maiy  Magdalene,  whom  the  evangel- 
ists mention,)  for  she  is  called  a  sinner  in  the  scriptures,  (Matt. 
2G;  Mark  14;  Luke  8,  10,)  so  long  as  the  Lord  had  not  called  her 
out  of  darkness  into  light,  from  lies  unto  truth.  (John  12.) 
But  as  soon  as  she  heard  his  word,  she  with  eagerness  received  it 
in  a  sincere  and  renewed  heart,  by  which  she  (who  was  a  great 
sinner)  became  a  penitent  and  pious  woman.  Her  unrighteous, 
sensual  heart  was  so  warmed  and  touched  that  her  eyes  stream- 
ed with  tears,  and  she  wet  the  Lord's  feet  therewith.  Her  hair 
she  used  as  a  towel  to  wipe  his  feet ;  her  avarice  was  quelled  ; 
ehe  annointed  his  head  and  feet  with  precious  ointment,  which 


234  .     OF  THE  FAITH  OP  THE  SINFUL  WOMAN. 

might  have  been  sold  for  three  hundred  pence  ;  her  proud  heart 
was  humbled;  she  did  not  seek  the  highest  seat  at  the  table, 
but  she  sat  mournfully  at  the  feet  of  the  Lord,  and  heard  his 
blessed  word. 

When  the  Pharisee  saw  this,  he  murmured.  Christ  said  to 
him:  Simon,  seest  thou  this  woman?  I  entered  into  thy  house; 
thou  gavest  me  no  water  for  my  feet,  but  she  hath  washed  my 
feet  with  tears,  and  wiped  them  with  the  hairs  of  her  head. 
Thou  gavest  me  no  kiss,  but  this  woman,  since  I  came  in,  hath 
not  ceased  to  kiss  my  feet.  My  head  with  oil  thou  didst  not 
anoint;  but  this  woman  has  aunointed  my  feet  with  ointment. 
Wherefore  I  say  unto  thee,  her  sins,  which  are  many,  are  for- 
given; for  she  loved  much:  but  he  to  whom  little  is  forgiven 
loveth  little.  And  he  said  unto  the  woman  :  Thy  sins  are  for- 
given; thy  faith  hath  saved  thee;  go  in  peace.  (Luke  7.) 

Behold,  reader, take  notice:  all  the  haughty,  proud,  avaricious, 
and  sensual,  who  boast  themselves  Christians  and  are  not  (for 
they  show  by  their  whole  conduct  that  they  hate  Christ,)  are  in 
their  actions  reproved  and  made  ashamed  by  this  sinner.  For 
when  she  believed,  her  proud  and  haughty  heart  was  humbled, 
made  contrite,  and  was  changed.  And  they  say  they  believe, 
although  they  practice  all  manner  of  wantonness — in  their  ac- 
cursed pride  and  gorgeous  trappings,  and  soft,  flippant  dresses 
and  tinsel  gewgaws,  they  strut  about,  without  bounds  or  rea- 
son :  not  regarding  what  the  enlightened  apostles,  Paul  and 
Peter,  say,  who  forbade  Christian  women  to  dress  with  outward 
adornings  ;  how  much  less  should  men  dress  so  foolishly,  who 
are  examples  to  and  the  head  of  women — nevertheless  they 
want  still  to  be  called  the  community  of  Christ. 

Every  one  makes  an  ostentatious  display  ;  yea,  sometimes 
goes  beyond  his  ability  to  pay.  One  is  desirous  to  excel  anoth- 
er in  foppery,  or  at  least  to  equal  him,  and  does  not  reflect 
that  it  is  written  :  Love  not  the  world,  neither  the  things  that 
are  in  the  world.  If  any  man  love  the  world,  the  love  of  the 
Father  is  not  in  him.  For  all  that  is  in  the  world,  the  lust  of 
the  flesh,  and  the  lust  of  the  eyes,  and  the  pride  of  life,  is  not 
of  the  Father,  but  is  of  the  world  ;  and  the  world  passeth  away, 
and  the  lust  thereof ;  but  he  that  doeth  the  will  of  God  abideth 
for  ever.  (1  John  2.) 

Again,  I  say,  this  sinful  women  believed,  and  from  that  mo- 
ment she  was  freed  from  disgraceful  sins.  For  the  unclean 
devil  was  cast  out,  as  it  is  heard.  But  what  abominable  and 
disgraceful  unchastity,  adultery  and  fornication  obtain  among 
many  men  and  women,  (who  boast  that  they  believe,)  in  many 
cities  and  countries,  is  best  known  to  him  before  whose  eyes  all 
things  are  open;  and,  alas,  not  wholly  concealed  before  men. 
For  it  is  manifest  that  the  world  is  full  of  lasciviousness,  adul- 


OF  THE  FAITH  OP  THE  SINFUL  WOMAN.  225 

ters,  and  fornicators,  sodomites  and  buggerers,  bastards  and 
illegitimate  children.  And,  alas!  it  has  come  so  far  that  they 
live  at  peace  and|  liberty,  and  not  thinking  that  God  commanded 
through  Moses  that  both  the  adulterer  and  adulteress  should 
be  stoned  to  death,  (Lev.  20;  Dent.  22,^  that  there  should  be 
neither  whores  nor  whoremongers  in  Israel,  and  the  illegitimate 
children  even  to  the  tenth  generation  were  not  to  be  admitted 
into  the  congregation  of  the  Lord.  (Lev.  23.)  And  further: 
It  was  the  express  command  and  law  that  if  any  one  in  Israel 
had  sexual  intercoui-se  with  a  virgin,  who  was  not  betrothed  or 
engaged,  he  had  to  marry  her,  if  her  father  consented,  and  was 
not  to  put  her  away  all  his  days,  because  he  had  humbled  her. 
(Exod.  22;  Lev.  22.) 

Ah!  reader,  reflect  upon  these  things,  which  the  lastcommand 
contains.  They  all  boast,  however  lascivious,  that  they  are 
spiritual  Isi-aelites,  that  they  have  the  truth  and  are  baptized 
in  the  name  of  Christ;  still  they  are  not  ashamed  to  make  their 
weak  sisters,  who  are  in  connexion  with  them,  and  are  of  one 
faith,  one  baptism,  of  one  supper  and  attend  the  same  religious 
services,  to  be  poor,  helpless  and  disgraceful  strumpets,  con- 
trary to  all  scripture  and  Christian  love,  and  although  God's 
word  commanded  if  they  have  lain  with  them,  that  they  should 
marry  them  and  never  forsake  them.  If  they  would  think  more 
profoundly  upon  these  things,  many  of  the  females  would  not 
be  disgraced,  whereas  so  many  a  child  has  been  unmercifully 
disgraced,  and  so  many  young  girls  have  been  deflowered  and 
deprived  of  their  virgin  honor. 

I  write  you  the  truth  in  Christ,  if  you  are,  or  would  be  a 
Christian,  and  have  seduced  but  one  poor  child  with  your  subtle 
attempts  and  pretences,  (and  if  you  would  not  lose  your  soul, ) 
you  will  have  to  marry  her  and  not  forsake  her,  nor  cast  her 
from  you;  for  you  have  humbled  her,  as  heard.  Behold,  this  is 
the  Lord's  own  word  and  law.  All,  therefore,  who  knowingly 
despise  this  law  of  God,  and  reject  the  disgraced  and  marry 
another,  will  have  to  confess  before  God  that  the  first  one  is  his 
wife,  and  not  the  last  one.  O,  you  violators  of  female  chastity, 
reflect  upon  these  things  and  learn  wisdom. 

Would  you  say  that  this  command  has  reference  only  to  Israel 
and  not  to  the  Christian,  I  would  then  ask  you  in  the  first  place : 
Whether  you'  consider  yourself  to  be  a  Christian  or  not?  If 
you  say  no,  do  then  all  you  can,  and  look  for  the  judgment 
threatened  to  all  out  of  Christ.  I3ut  if  you  say  yes,  then  the 
matter  is  already  decided,  that  she  must  be  your  wife.  For  a 
Christian  must  not  live  with  a  sister  in  such  a  manner  as  to 
make  her  a  prostitute.  0  no!  the  scriptures  teach  that  Chris- 
tians are  members  of  Christ,  and  not  whores  and  profligates. 
I  hope  this  blunt  language  will  be  understood. 

10* 


S26  OF  THE  FAITH  OF  THE  SINFUL  WOMAN. 

In  the  second  place,  which  of  the  two  people  should  be  the 
more  holy  and  virtuous,  the  literal  or  the  spiritual?  Do  you 
say  the  literal?  then  you  have  exalted  Moses  with  his  people 
and  service  above  Christ,  which  thing  is  evidently  opposed  to 
all  scripture.  (Matt.  5;  2  Cor.  3;  Heb.  3.  8,  10.)  But  if  you  say 
the  spiritual,  then  the  matter  is  again  decided  that  she  must 
be  your  wife;  then  the  literal  must  not  make  his  sister  to  be  a 
prostitute,  much  less  the  spiritual,  which  is  the  Lord's  own 
body,  brother,  sister,  generation  and  bride. 

In  the  third  place,  I  ask  whether  the  command,  Thou  shalt 
love  thy  neighbor  as  thyself,  is  not  given  to  the  Christians  as 
well  as  to  Israel?  If  you  say  no  you  have  denied  the  whole 
New  Testament,  which  teaches  and  earnestly  insists  upon  the 
love  of  our  neighbor.  But  if  you  say  yes.,  then  I  say  for  the 
third  time  that  she  must  be  your  wife.  Because  you  did,  con- 
trary to  this  command,  so  abominably  disgrace  and  humble  her, 
therefore,  do  the  scriptures  teach  that  you  are  to  restore  her  to 
honor,  and  that  you  shall  take  her  to  be  your  wife.  Let  every 
one  see  to  it — the  commands  of  love  will  ever  remain.  Blessed 
are  they  who  take  heed  to  them  and  observe  them  in  fear. 

In  the  fourth  place,  I  ask,  whether  there  is  a  single  one 
who  with  impunity  can  transgress  and  break  God's  command? 
If  you  say  yes^  then  you  deny  the  scriptures,  which  teach  that 
we  shall  walk  in  the  ways  of  the  Lord  and  keep  his  comman  d- 
ments.  But  if  you  say  nOy  then  I  tell  you  the  fourth  time,  that 
she  island  must  be  your  wife;  for  it  is  the  command  of  God, 
firmly  based  upon  love:  That  if  you  have  lain  with  a  virgin 
you  must  marry  her  and  never  forsake  her,  as  heard. 

Behold,  my  reader,  here  you  are  more  than  plainly  taught 
what  the  word  of  the  Lord  teaches  in  regard  to  this  matter. 
And  if  you  continue  so  ungodly  as  to  transgress  the  command 
of  the  Lord  by  disgracing  one  and  marrying  another,  you  may 
read  the  consequences  in  Rom.  1;  1  Cor.  6;  Gal.  5;  Eph.  5; 
Rev.  21,  22;  unless  you  sincerely  repent. 

This  I  by  no  means  write  to  encourage  him  to  leave  his  wife 
he  married  and  take  to  wife  the  virgin  he  humbled  before,  for  I 
have  no  doubts  the  gracious  Father  will  in  mercy  overlook  the 
errors  of  those  who  had  erroneous  views  of  the  subject,  and 
henceforth  fear  the  Lord  and  do  right;  but  I  write  this  that 
every  one  should  guard  himself  against  such  disgrace,  more 
profoundly  to  reflect  upon  the  command  of  the  Lord  and  of 
love,  and  observe  how  Christ  is  so  wholly  neglected  of  the  world ; 
for,  alas,  they  generally  are  influenced  by  their  accursed  lusts, 
whether  they  are  lords,  princes,  priests,  monks,  noble  or  ignoble, 
citizens  and  peasants.  With  few  exceptions,  they  are  so  much 
inflamed  that  they  follow  this  unbecoming,  deviUsh  disgrace  of 
accursed  lechery  as  the  dog  pursues  the  hare.    They  are,  says 


OP  THE  FAITH  OF  THE  SINFUL  WOMAN.  227 

Jeremiah,  (Jer.  5,)  as  fed  horses  in  the  morning;  every  one 
neighs  after  his  neighbor's  wife  ;  and  there  is  nothing  that  can 
deter  or  prevent  them  from  this  accursed  abomination,  neither 
natural  honor,  nor  Moses  with  all  his  threatenings,  neither  the 
prophets,  nor  Christ,  nor  the  apostles,  neither  heaven  nor  the 
angels  ;  yea,  neither  hell  nor  devil ;  neither  life  nor  death ;  if 
they  can  only  satisfy  their  unchaste,  disgraceful  lust,  then  all 
is  well  with  them. 

They  are  wholly  bent  upon  this  ;  some  they  seduce  with  fair 
words,  others  by  promising  gifts;  some  by  giving  them  wine  to 
drink  ;  by  dancing  and  songs  of  levity;  some  by  courteous  flat- 
teiy,  by  amorous  tenderness,  and  the  like  artifice  ;  yea,  some 
deceive  by  their  affected  sighings  and  weepings;  so  that  they 
can  only  accomplish  their  designs  and  gratify  their  lusts,  then 
all  is  right  and  they  rejoice.  But  they  do  thereby  incense 
almighty  God,  transgress  his  holy  word,  disgrace  their  neigh- 
bor, do  violence  to  the  law  of  love,  defile  the  marriage  bed, 
deflower  virgins,  have  illegitimate  children  and  destroy  their 
souls  eternally  ;  about  all  this  they  care  nothing.  They  say, 
this  is  our  portion  and  our  lot  and  nothing  else.     (Wis.  2.) 

I,  therefore,  say  with  Moses  :  Cursed  be  they  of  God  who  do 
works  of  iniquity  ;  and  all  the  people  shall  say.  Amen,  (Deut. 
27.)  And  with  Job:  That  hell  will  consume  them  as  drought 
and  heat  consume  the  snow-waters;  (Job  24.)  With  Paul:  That 
God  will  judge  them  ;  (Heb.  13.)  And  with  John  :  Their  part 
is  in  the  1  ake  which  burnetii  with  fire  and  brimstone,  which  is 
the  second  death.  (Rev.  21.)  Ah !  that  these  poor  people 
would  take  heed,  awaken  and  believe  the  words  of  the  Lord, 
and  observe  it. 

In  the  second  place,  I  write  this ;  that  every  one  might 
awaken,  sincerely  repent,  and  weep  over  his  past  disgraceful 
conduct  before  God,  lest  he  cast  him  off  eternally ;  but  be 
gracious  to  him  for  the  sake  of  the  blood  of  his  Son  ;  and  no 
more  defile  the  bed  of  his  neighbor,  nor  deflower  virgins,  but 
live  in  all  honesty,  each  with  his  own  wife.  And  that  the  un- 
married keep  free  from  lechery,  and  if  he  cannot  restrain  him- 
self let  him  seek  a  pious  wife  in  the  fear  of  God  ;  and  he  that 
has  transgressed  and  has  not  taken  another,  that  he  honor  the 
disgraced  one,  and  according  to  Christian  love  and  the  word  of 
God,  extricate  her  from  her  degraded  state.  And  thus  teach- 
ing their  children,  and  children's  children,  from  generation  to 
generation,  even  as  Tobias  did  his  son,  sayiug  :  Beware  of  all 
whoredom,  my  son,  and  take  not  a  strange  woman  but  keep  to 
your  own  wife.     (Tob.  4.) 

Know  ye  not,  says  Paul,  that  your  bodies  are  the  members 
of  Christ  ?  Shall  I  then  take  the  members  of  Christ  and  make 
them  the  members  of  an  harlot?  God  forbid.    (1   Cor.   6.) 


228  OF  THE  FAITH  OF  THE  SINFUL  WOMAN. 

Again,  he  says  :  For  this  is  the  will  of  God,  even  your  sanctifi- 
cation,  that  you  should  abstain  from  fornication  ;  that  every 
one  of  you  should  know  how  to  possess  his  vessel  (body)  in 
sauctification  and  honor  ;  not  in  the  lust  of  concupiscence,  even 
as  the  Gentiles  which  know  not  God — for  God  has  not  called  us 
unto  uncleanness,  but  unto  holiness.  (1  Thes.  4.)  Yes,  good 
reader,  true  believers  have  to  lead  an  honorable  and  chaste  life; 
that  not  as  much  as  adultery,  lechery,  and  any  unchastity  be 
privately  or  openly  mentioned  among  them  ;  if  any  one  among 
them  only  mention  it,  it  is  an  abomination,  for  thus  it  becomes 
the  saints  to  live.     (Eph.  4.) 

We  find  many  wicked  men  who  shamefully  seduce  poor 
simple  hearts  ;  so  on  the  other  hand  we  find  impudent  women 
and  girls  who  are  often  the  first  cause  that  such  disgrace  is  put 
on  them.  And  though  many  are  not  guilty  of  the  deed,  never- 
theless they  are  not  guiltless,  that  they  make  so  free  with  other 
men  and  associates  in  open  triflings,  singing,  dancing,  drinking 
healths,  kissing,  courting,  in  splendor  and  gorgeousness,  and 
the  like  vanity  and  abominations,  whereby  they  kindled  the  fires 
of  base  passions,  which  continue  till  consumed,  as  may  be  seen. 

How  properly  Sirach  admonishes  us,  when  he  says  :  Meet 
not  with  an  harlot,  lest  thou  fall  into  her  snares :  use  not  much 
the  company  of  a  woman  that  is  a  singer,  lest  thou  be  taken 
with  her  attempts  :  gaze  not  upon  a  maid,  that  thou  fall  not 
by  those  things  that  are  precious  in  her  :  give  not  thy  soul  unto 
harlots,  that  thou  lose  not  thine  inheritance ;  look  not  round 
about  thee  in  the  streets  of  the  city,  neither  wander  thou  in  the 
solitary  places  thereof:  turn  away  thine  eye  from  a  beautiful 
woman,  and  look  not  upon  another's  beauty  ;  for  many  have 
been  deceived  by  the  beauty  of  a  woman  ;  for  herewith  love  is 
kindled  as  a  fire  :  sit  not  at  all  with  another  man's  wife,  nor 
sit  down  with  her  in  thy  arms,  and  spend  not  thy  money  with 
her  at  the  wine  ;  lest  thy  heart  incline  unto  her,  and  so  through 
thy  desire  thou  fall  into  destruction.     (Sir.  9.) 

Were  it  now  so  that  the  aforementioned  married  and  un- 
married women  were  true  believers,  even  as  was  the  sinful 
woman,  they  would  then  also  fear  the  Lord,  they  would  aban- 
don all  vanity  and  ungodly  actions,  and  lay  snares  for  none, 
nor  give  any  occasion  to  evil ;  yea,  would  walk  honorably  and 
modestly,  and  avoid  all  manner  of  pride  and  superfluity,  and 
make  or  desire  no  other  clothes  than  those  necessary  and  con- 
venient ;  for  they  would  not  frequent  the  idolatrous  temple 
and  idle  banquets  where  generally  such  pomp  and  superfluity 
are  displayed. 

The  sinful  woman  (when  converted)  adorned  herself  inwardly, 
and  not  outwardly,  for  she  believed;  but  these  dress  their 
bodies  and  not  their  souls,  for  they  believe  not. 


OF  THE  FAITH  OF  THE  SINFUL  WOMAN.  329 

The  sinful  woman  sighed  and  wept,  was  afraid  of  the  wrath 
and  judgment  of  the  Lord,  for  she  saw  that  she  had  done  wrong 
and  sinned;  but  these  laugh  and  sing,  dance  and  prance  about, 
and  do  not  see  their  enormous  misdeeds  and  great  sins,  and 
therefore,  they  do  not  fear  the  Lord's  wrath  and  judgment. 

The  sinful  woman  was  compassionate  and  merciful,  anointed 
the  head  and  the  feet  of  the  Lord,  and  found  the  true  service; 
but  these  are  unmerciful  and  shameless,  and  know  of  no  other 
service  than  to  go  to  the  chapel  to  receive  holy  water,  to  offer 
lights  and  tapers  to  blind  blocks  and  images,  to  hear  masses 
and  vespej:^,  to  call  upon  the  departed  saints  for  help,  to  confess 
once  or  twice  a  year  to  their  idolatrous,  drunken,  lascivious 
priests,  to  receive  their  bread  of  abomination  and  absolution, 
and  the  like  superstitions  and  delusions. 

The  sinful  woman  sought  the  company  of  the  righteous;  but 
these  seek  the  company  of  the  unrighteous,  do  all  manner  of 
folly,  defame  their  neighbors,  backbite  and  slander,  speak  dis- 
gracefully of  one  another,  speak  of  costly  furniture,  houses, 
goods  and  handsome  companions,  customs  and  fashions.  In 
short,  their  works  openly  show  that  they  have  not  the  faith 
of  the  sinful  woman,  and  belong  not  to  the  community  of  the 
righteous. 

The  sinful  woman  sat  at  the  feet  of  Jesus  and  heard  his  holy 
word;  but  these  hear  teachers  who  can  tickle  their  ears  and 
preach  to  please  them.  In  short,  why  need  I  say  much;  it  is, 
O  God!  so  corrupted  that  we  find  the  whole  world  filled  with 
folly.  I  mean  spiritual  folly,  deaf  ears,  um-easonable  hearts; 
the  blind  are  leading  the  blind,  they  will  all  fall  into  the  abyss 
of  death  (unless  they  receive  their  sight  again;)  if  we  believe 
it  to  be  true  what  the  mouth  of  the  Lord  teaches,  for  their 
doctrine  is  altogether  false,  as  well  as  their  sacraments,  and 
worship;  unbelief  and  sensuality  prevail  everywhere. 

Behold,  reader,  here  take  notice  how  vastly  this  sinful  woman, 
after  conversion,  in  her  faith  and  conduct,  differs  from  the  faith 
and  conduct  of  the  world.  They  are  like  the  sinful  woman  before 
her  conversion,  and  not  after  conversion.  Whether  such  are 
believers  I  will  let  the  sensible  reader  reflect  upon,  with  the 
spirit  and  word  of  the  Lord. 

I  certainly  know  that  a  proud,  haughty  man  is  no  Christian — 
that  an  avaricious,  selfish  man  is  no  Christian — an  unchaste, 
lecherous  man  is  no  Christian — a  wrangling  and  envious  man  is 
no  Christian — a  disobedient,  idolatrous  man  is  no  Christian — a 
false,  lying  man  is  no  Christian — an  unfaithful,  thievish  man  is 
no  Christian — a  defaming  and  backbiting  man  is  no  Christian, 
— neither  are  the  blood-thirsty,  the  unmerciful  and  revengeful 
men  Christians — though  they  were  baptized  one  hundred  times 
and  attend  the  Lord's  supper  daily;  for  it  is  not  the  sacraments, 


330  OF  THE  FAITH  OF  THE  SINFUL  WOMAN. 

or  the  signs,  such  as  baptism  and  the  Lord^a  supper,  but  a  sin- 
cere, Christian  faith,  with  its  unblamable,  pious  fruits,  repre- 
sented by  the  sacraments,  that  has  the  promise  of  life.  (Matt. 
28;  Mark  16;  John  1,  3,  6,  7,  and  in  other  passages.) 

Here,  neither  masses  nor  holy  water,  neither  holy  days  nor 
rosaries,  neither  auricular  confession  nor  absolution,  avail.  Here 
only  a  beheving,  contrite  and  broken  heart,  spirit  and  mind,  a 
penitent,  a  changed,  a  new  heart,  a  pious  life  dead  to  sin,  avail. 
This  was  the^confession  and  repentance  of  the  sinful  woman, 
and  she  also  heard  immediately:  Thy  sins  are  forgwen^  thy 
faith  hath  made  thee  whole,  go  in  peace. 

But  the  abominable  auricular  confession  which  is' so  highly 
esteemed  by  the  world,  is  nothing  but  hypocrisy,  human  right- 
eousness and  superstition,  open  delusion  of  unbelievers,  a 
false  hope  of  the  sinner,  and  a  subtle  invention  of  gain  by 
the  priests,  whereby  they  set  aside  true  confession  and  re- 
pentance, and  comfort  and  encourage  the  world  in  their  rude, 
ungodly  life. 

But  if  you  would  rightly  confess  and  repent,  to  receive  true 
absolution  of  God,  then  approach  him  with  a  believing,  penitent 
and  changed  heart,  with  a  sorrowing,  broken  distressed  mind; 
leave  off  sinning,  do  justice  to  your  neighbor,  love,  aid,  serve, 
reprove  and  comfort  him,  and  if  you  have  sinned  against  him, 
or  over-reached  him,  acknowledge  it  to  him  and  reconcile  him. 
Behold,  this  is  the  only  true  confession  and  penance  which  is 
taught  in  the  word  of  God.  The  Lord  grant  that  you  may 
rightly  understand  and  perform  this  confession  and  repent- 
ance. 

I,  therefore,  entreat  and  desire  all  women,  through  the  mercy 
of  the  Lord,  to  take  this  grieved,  sinful  woman  as  a  pattern  and 
foUow  her  faith,  humble  yourselves  before  the  Lord,  and  reprove 
your  avarice,  pride,  obscenity  and  all  manner  of  evil.  Let  all 
your  thoughts  be  pure,  and  let  your  words  be  circumspect  and 
seasoned.  And  whatsoever  you  do,  do  it  in  the  name  and  fear 
of  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  do  not  adorn  yourselves  with  gold, 
silver,  pearls,  broidered  hair  or  costly  array,  but  dress  yourselves 
in  such  apparel  which  becomes  women  professing  godliness, 
and  which  is  serviceable.  Be  obedient  to  your  husbands  in  all 
reasonable  things,  so  that  those  who  do  not  believe  may  be 
gained  by  your  good  conversation  without  the  word,  as  Peter 
says  :  (Col.  3,  4;  1  Tim.  2;  1  Pet.  3;  Eph.  5.) 

Remain  within  your  houses  and  gates,  except  you  have  some- 
thing of  importance  to  do,  such  as  attending  to  your  temporal 
concerns — to  administer  to  the  needy — to  hear  the  word  of  the 
Lord,  or  to  attend  upon  his  holy  sacraments,  &c.  Attend 
faithfully  to  your  cliarge,  to  your  children,  house  and  domestics, 
and  walk  in  all  things  like  the  sinful  woman  did  after  her  con- 


OF  THE  FAITH  OF  THE  WOMAN  OF  CANAAN.  231 

version  ;  that  you  may  be  true  daughters  of  Sarah,  believing 
women,  sisters  of  Christ,  and  joint  heirs  of  a  future  life ;  (1 
Pet.  3  )  you  shall  hear  the  gracious  words  :  Tour  sins  are  for- 
giveriy  your  faith  hath  made  you  whole,  go  in  peace. 


OF  THE  FAITH  OF  THE   WOMAN  OF   CA- 
NAAN. 

Matthew  informs  us  that  Jesus  went  out  of  the  land  of 
Genesaret,  and  came  into  the  coasts  of  Tyre  and  Sidon  ;  and 
behold  a  woman  of  Canaan  came  out  of  the  same  coasts,  and 
cried  unto  him,  saying  :  Have  mercy  on  me,  O  Lord,  thou  son 
of  David  ;  my  daughter  is  grievously  vexed  with  a  devil.  But 
he  answered  her  not  a  word.  And  his  disciples  came  and  be- 
sought him,  saying :  Send  her  away,  for  she  crieth  after  us. 
But  he  answered  and  said  :  I  am  not  sent  but  unto  the  lost 
sheep  of  the  house  of  Israel.  But  she  came  and  worshipped 
him,  saying :  Lord  do  help  me.  But  he  answered  and  said  :  It 
is  not  meet  to  take  the  children's  bread  and  cast  it  to  the  dogs. 
And  she  said  :  Truth,  Lord ;  yet  the  dogs  eat  of  the  crumbs 
which  fall  from  their  master's  table.  (Matt.  15  ;  Mark  7 ; 
Luke  11.)  Then  Jesus  answered  and  said  to  her  :  0,  womaUy 
great  is  thy  faith ;  he  it  to  thee  even  as  thou  wilt.  And  her 
daughter  was  whole  from  that  very  hour. 

Here  you  again  have  a  fine  example  and  pattern  of  a  sincere 
Christian  faith;  for  when  this  woman  perceived  how  powerfully 
Jesus  preached  grace,  and  hearing,  besides,  that  he  could  do 
what  he  desired,  showed  love  and  mercy,  and  that  he  sent  none 
away  comfortless,  she  unhesitatingly  approached  him,  not 
doubting  his  grace,  mercy,  love  and  power,  though  she  was  not 
heard  on  the  first  and  second  request.  She  was  importunate 
both  in  her  faith  and  prayer,  with  such  a  desire  that  she  might 
but  eat  of  the  spiritual  crumbs  of  his  mercy,  and  obtain  relief 
for  her  daughter.  Yea,  she  manifested  such  a  faith,  constancy 
and  piety,  that  the  Lord  said  to  her  :  0,  woman,  great  is  thy 
faith;  be  it  unto  thee  even  as  thou  wilt. 

Faithful  reader,  observe  ;  were  we  with  spiritual  eyes  rightly 
to  look  upon  this  woman's  faith  and  fruits,  we  would  be  aptly 
taught  of  her,  especially  in  two  particulars. 

For,  I  say,  as  soon  as  she  heard  that  the  Lord  taught  pure 
mercy  and  grace,  repentance  and  reformation,  preached  the 
kingdom  of  God,  raised  the  dead,  made  the  blind  see,  the  deaf 
hear,  the  cripples  walk,  the  leprous  clean,  healed  the  sick,  and 


232  OF  THE  FAITH  OF  THE  WOMAN  OF  CANAAN. 

cast  out  unclean  spirits  ;  that  he  reproved  the  Scribes,  Phari- 
sees and  the  common  people  for  their  unbelief,  perverseness, 
blind  hypocrisy  and  sensual  life  ;  and  testified  that  he  was  the 
prophet  and  Messiah,  promised  in  the  law  and  the  prophets, 
whereby  his  fame  spread  abroad  through  all  Judea  and  the  ad- 
jacent countries — hearing  all  this,  the  woman's  heart  was  en- 
couraged to  go  to  him,  not  at  all  doubting  his  mercy,  power, 
goodness  and  grace;  she  drew  nigh  to  him,  through  assured 
faith,  and  in  full  confidence  entreated  him  humbly  not  to  deny 
to  her  her  request,  but  that  he  would  graciously  grant  it ;  and 
she  obtained  what  she  desired. 

She  heard  and  believed  ;  she  saw  and  confessed.  But  these 
insane  people  imagine  that  they  are  Christians,  but  are,  ac- 
cording to  my  understanding,  greater  disbelievers,  blinder, 
more  hardened  and  worse  than  Turks,  Tartars,  or  any  of  the 
heathens.  Their  works  testify  that  I  write  the  truth.  And 
they  cannot,  by  any  means,  be  moved  to  hear,  or  be  obedient 
to  truth,  neither  by  doctrine  nor  exhortation,  neither  by  the 
unblamable  lives  nor  the  innocent  blood  of  saints,  which  is 
daily  shed,  as  we  mentioned,  when  treating  of  the  faith  of  the 

THIEF. 

The  above  mentioned  doctrine  of  the  holy  divine  word  we 
have  had  in  Germany  for  some  years,  and  have  it  yet  daily 
more  abundantly,  in  such  power  and  clearness  that  they  may 
plainly  see  it  is  the  finger  and  work  of  the  Lord.  For  the 
haughty  are  humbled,  the  avaricious  are  made  kind,  the  drunk- 
ards become  sober,  the  unchaste  made  pure,  &c.,  and  are  not 
allowed  to  indulge  in  a  single  thought,  word  or  act  contrary  to 
the  will,  word  and  spirit  of  the  Lord,  and  they  receive  it  with 
such  an  affection  that  they  do  not  fear  to  forsake  father  and 
mother,  man,  woman,  children,  possessions,  nay  willingly  suffer 
death  on  account  of  it.  For  many  of  them  are  burnt,  many 
aredrowned,  many  are  apprehended — are  exiled,  their  property 
confiscated ;  nevertheless  they  are  indifferent.  If  it  is  but  re- 
ported he  was  an  ana-baptist  that  is  sufficient,  and  the  enquiiy 
is  never  made  what  his  conduct  in  life  was  whether  he  injured 
any  one  or  not.  Neither  do  they  reflect  that  it  is  a  special 
I)Ower  and  work  which  restrains  one  wholly  from  drunkenness, 
lasciviousness,  pomp  and  pride,  from  all  vanity,  abominable 
lying,  sensual  life  and  from  all  idolatry  ;  and  constrains  one  to 
all  sobriety,  chastity,  meekness,  piety,  truth,  and  the  true  wor- 
ship, on  account  of  which  we  have  to  hear  all  manner  of  dis- 
grace beyond  measure,  and  to  endure  persecution  and  misery, 
and  so  often  have  to  endure  the  loss  of  life,  as  you  may  see. 

If  a  thief  is  led  to  the  gallows,  or  a  murderer  is  broken  upon 
the  wheel,  or  if  a  malefactor  is  severely  punialied,  every  one  en- 
quires what  he  has  done.  And  he  is  not  sentenced  by  the  judges. 


OF  THE  FAITH  OF  THE  WOMAN  OF  CANAAN.  333 

as  long  as  they  do  not  understand  fully  the  ground  and  ti*uth 
of  his  evil  deed.  But  if  an  innocent  Christian,  (whom  the  gra- 
cious Lord  rescued  from  the  ways  of  sin,  and  placed  in  the  way 
of  his  peace,  ^  is  accused  by  the  priests  and  preachers,  and 
placed  before  the  judges,  they  deem  him  unworthy  of  an  impar- 
tial examination,  in  relation  to  what  reasons  or  writings  move 
him  that  he  will  not  hear  his  priests  and  preachers,  nor  have  his 
children  baptized,  nor  attend  their  service,  nor  longer  eat  and 
drink  with  them,  and  serve  the  devil.  Nor  do  they  desire  to 
know  why  he  reformed  his  life  and  received  the  baptism  of 
Christ,  or  what  urges  him  that  he  willingly  suffers  or  even 
would  die  for  his  faith.  They  only  ask  :  Is  he  baptized?  If  he 
answers  in  the  affirmative,  the  sentence  is  fixed  that  he  must 
die. 

And  all  who  see  or  hear  such  miracles  of  almighty  God  as  that 
such  poor,  unlearned  men,  (yea,  sometimes,  poor,  feeble  wo- 
men, )  are  so  fortified  in  God  that  they  fear  neither  judge  nor 
executioner;  that  neither  fire  nor  water,  neither  halter  nor 
sword,  neither  life  nor  death  can  deter  them  from  their  faith; 
these  persecutors  do  not  enquire  what  they  did,  whether  they 
are  traitors  to  their  country  or  city;  whether  they  have  stolen 
the  property  of  others,  or  disgraced  some  one's  daughter  or 
wife;  or  whether  they  did  any  thing  not  in  accordance  with 
the  word  of  God  and  with  common  honesty  and  natural  probi- 
ty. O  no!  So  much  discretion  and  love  we  find  not;  if  they 
only  have  the  word  of  the  Lord  and  believe  the  commands 
and  ordinances  thereof,  and  are  obedient  thereto,  and  desirous 
to  regulate  their  poor,  weak  life  by  truth,  they  must  be  ad- 
judged as  seditious  and  heretical,  and  that  they  are  guilty  of 
severe  punishment  and  of  death.  Behold,  thus  has  the  mur- 
dering, blood-thirsty  devil  deceived  the  whole  world,  through- 
his  priests  and  preachers;  yea,  that,  I  fear,  scarcely  one  is  to 
be  found  among  a  hundred  thousand  who  will  lay  to  heart 
such  a  strong  faith,  obedience,  frankness,  power  great  suffer- 
ing and  ignominious  death,  so  that  he  would  once  refiect  upon 
his  abominable  unbelief,  disgraceful  wickedness  and  presumpt- 
uous carnal  life,  or  call  in  question  the  doctrine  of  his  teachers, 
sacraments,  their  lives  and  worship.  How  truly  did  the 
prophet  say:  The  righteous  perisheth  and  no  man  layeth  it  to 
heai-t,  (Isa.  57.)  There  cannot  be  found  beneath  the  wide 
canopy  of  heaven  more  hardened  unbelief,  more  perverse, 
scornful,  obdurate  wickedness,  more  accursed  madness,  more 
execrated  ungodliness,  or  a  worse  state  of  things  than  that 
which  is  related. 

If  there  is  a  report  of  war  the  whole  land  is  in  dismay,  great 
and  small,  citizens  and  peasants;  defensive  arms  are  provided; 
they  watch  and  make  ready  for  defence  as  much  as  possible. 


234  OF  THE  FAITH  OF  THE  WOMAN  OF  CANAAN. 

Or  if  they  hear  of  famine  or  pestilence,  then  all  fear  and  trem- 
ble who  have  come  to  years  of  understanding.  And,  if  on  the 
contrary,  there  is  a  time  of  tranquillity  and  peace,  of  prosperity 
and  weal,  then  all  who  hear  it,  rejoice.  But  now,  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ's  trumpets  are  blowing,  and  the  drums  are  beat- 
ing, warning  us  to  tender  love,  through  all  his  apostles  and 
prophets,  to  flee  satan's  crafty  wiles  and  subtle  assaults,  and 
that  all  who  follow  and  are  obedient  to  him  must  die.  How- 
ever, but  few  there  are  who  put  on  the  armor  of  God,  are 
guarding  against  satan's  secret  encroachment,  and  preparing 
to  resist  him.  They  all  run  voluntarily  into  his  hands,  both 
men  and  women,  and  eagerly  do  the  things  which  delight 
him.  And  those  who  do  not  have  to  await  great  tribulation 
and  much  misery.     (Eph.  6;  Thess.  5.) 

Besides,  it  is  manifest  that  the  abominable  pestilence  of 
false  doctrine  will  destroy  the  whole  world,  and  the  bread  of 
life,  which  is  provided  for  all  the  spiritual  hungry,  is  very 
scarce  in  consequence  of  the  envious  callings  and  serpentine 
preachers.  And,  alas,  there  are  few  who  weep  and  sigh  for  the 
bread  of  life. 

The  eternal  grace,  mercy,  favour,  glory,  kingdom  and  joy  of 
Christ  are  offered  to  us.  But  our  ears  have  waxed  dull,  our 
hearts  have  become  hardened,  and  our  perverted  wickedness 
desires  them  not.  But  this  pious  woman  did  not  so,  but  she 
heard  and  believed,  saw  his  miracles  and  confessed  his  power; 
and  therefore  prayed  with  confidence  and  obtained  what  she 
desired,  for  she  believed  Christ  with  all  her  heart  and  doubted 
not  his  grace. 

In  the  second  place,  she  admonishes  all  pious  parents  that 
they  should  be  solicitious  for  the  salvation  of  their  children, 
because  she  so  faithfully  entreated  for  her  demoniac  daughter, 
not  desisting  till  she  was  heard.  For  it  cannot  be  otherwise, 
that  if  I  am  a  true  Christian,  all  my  work  before  God  and  my 
neighbor  are  works  of  love,  for  God,  (by  whose  word  a  Chris- 
tian is  born,)  says  John,  is  love.  And  that  the  Father  and 
those  who  are  born  of  him  are  alike  of  one  mind  and  heart, 
is  as  clear  as  day-light. 

If  I  seek  the  Lord's  praise  with  all  my  heart,  and  desire  the 
salvation  of  my  neighbors,  many  of  whom  I  have  never  seen; 
how  much  more  should  I  desire  the  salvation  of  my  children, 
whom  God  gave  me,  who  are  out  of  my  loins,  and  are  naturally 
my  flesh  and  bones — so  that  the  mighty  Lord  may  be  praised 
and  be  eternally  honored  hj  them. 

"What  I  write  I  consider  unquestionably  true— I  write  it  from 
a  true  witness  of  my  own  conscience,  as  before  almighty  God, 
before  whom  I  am,  that  all  true  believing  parents  are  thus 
minded  towards  their  children,  that  they  would  far  sooner  see 


OP  THE  FAITH  OP  THE  WOMAN  OF  CANAAN.  335 

them  set  in  a  dungeon  for  the  sake  of  the  word  of  the  Lord  and 
his  testimony,  than  be  with  the  deceiving  priests,  in  their  idola- 
trous churches,  or  with  drunken,  erroneous  interpreters  in 
taverns,  or  in  company  with  scorners,  who  despise  the  name  of 
the  Lord  and  hate  his  holy  word. 

Sooner  far  would  they  see  them  bound  hands  and  feet,  and 
dragged  about  for  the  sake  of  the  Lord  before  lords  and 
princes,  than  be  married  to  rich  persons  who  fear  not  God  and 
walk  not  in  the  ways  of  the  Lord,  but  pass  away  time  in  splen- 
dor, with  music,  in  excessive  drinking,  dancing  and  singing; 
sooner  far  would  they  see  them  scourged  from  the  head  to  the 
feet,  for  the  sake  of  the  Lord's  glory  and  holy  name,  than  see 
them  adorn  themselves  with  silks  and  velvets,  with  gold  and 
silver,  and  with  costly  attire,  and  the  like  vanity,  pomp  and 
pride.  Yea,  far  sooner  would  they  see  them  exiled,  burnt  at 
the  stake,  drowned  in  the  water,  or  placed  on  the  wheel,  for 
righteousness'  sake,  than  see  them  live  out  of  God,  in  all  earth- 
ly and  sensual  lusts,  be  emperor  and  kings,  and  then  be 
damned. 

Wo  to  those,  yea,  wo  to  those  who  are  not  solicitous  for  their 
children's  salvation.  Is  it  reasonable  that  we  love  their  bodies 
and  connive  at  their  sins,  and  not  reprove  the  transgressions  of 
the  young  with  the  rod,  and  of  the  aged  with  words,  not  teach 
them  the  way  of  the  Lord,  and  not  set  them  an  unblamable  ex- 
ample, direct  them  by  day  and  by  night  to  Christ,  his  word, 
ordinances,  commands  and  example,  and  not  seek  their  salva- 
tion with  all  the  soul?  if  not  we  will  not  escape  unpunished.  For 
their  souls  and  blood  are  required  at  our  hands,  and  their  dam- 
nation and  death  will  be  laid  to  our  charge  as  dumb  and  blind 
watchmen,  in  the  day  of  the  Lord. 

Christianity  plainly  teaches  us  that  all  Christian  parents 
should  be  a  salt,  a  shining  light,  and  as  unblamable,  faithful 
teachers  in  their  houses.  The  high  priest  Eli  was  punislTed 
because  he  did  not  zealously  reprove  his  children.   (1  Sam.  2,  5.) 

If  I  see  my  neighbor's  ox  or  ass  go  astray,  I  must  bring  him 
to  the  owner,  or  keep  him  safe,  as  Moses  teaches.  (Deut.  23.) 
If  it  becomes  me  thus  to  do  with  another's  animal,  how  much 
more  solicitous  should  I  be  for  the  souls  of  my  children,  who 
are  so  readily  misled  by  the  youthful  flesh,  in  which  no  good 
dwells. 

If  I  see  my  neighbor's  ox  or  ass  fallen  in  a  pit,  or  meet  him 
on  the  way  lying  under  the  weight  of  a  burden,  I  must  not 
leave  him  till  he  is  extricated,  (Exod.  23  ;  Deut  22;)  how 
much  more  should  I  be  solicitous  for  my  children,  whom  I  have 
before  me,  that  they  lie  not  under  the  burden  of  their  sins  :  and 
if  they  are  not  earnestly  reproved  and  instructed  in  grace  they 
will  f^-ll  into  the  infernal  abyss  of  the  second  death. 


236  OF  THE  FAITH  OF  THE  WOMAN  OF  CANAAN. 

Again,  if  I  see  my  neighbor's  house  on  fire  and  his  goods  per- 
ishing, it  is  reasonable  that  I  exert  myself  to  put  out  the  fire,  an  d 
if  possible  to  save  the  goods  ;  but  it  is  much  more  reasonable 
that  I  extinguish  the  fire  of  base  desires  in  my  child,  with  the 
water  of  the  divine  word,  and  preserve,  as  much  as  is  in  my 
power,  the  heavenly  goods. 

The  holy  scriptures  teach  that  God  purifies  the  heart  by  faith, 
— that  faith  comes  by  hearing  ;  and  by  faith  we  are  justified. 
(Acts  1,  5  ;  Rom.  3,  5,  10.)  Therefore,  let  every  one  take  heed, 
if  he  does  love  his  children  indeed,  that  he  teach  and  instruct 
them  in  the  way  of  the  Lord,  that  they  may  fear,  honor,  and 
serve  him,  so  that  the  depravity  of  sin  may  not  rule  in  them, 
lest  eternal  disgrace  ruin  them. 

Moses  taught  Israel,  saying :  And  these  words,  which  I  com- 
mand thee  this  day,  shall  be  in  thine  heart,  and  thou  shalt  bind 
them  for  a  sign  unto  thy  hand,  and  they  shall  be  as  frontlets 
between  thy  eyes,  and  thou  shalt  teach  them  diligently  unto 
thy  children,  and  shalt  talk  of  them  when  thou  sittest  in  thine 
house,  when  thou  walkest  by  the  way,  when  thou  liest  down, 
and  when  thou  risest  up,  and  thou  shalt  write  them  upon  the 
posts  of  thy  house  and  on  thy  gates  ;  that  ye  may  prolong  your 
days  in  the  land  which  the  Lokd  swore  unto  your  fathers  to 
give  unto  them  and  their  seed.     (Deut.  6,  11.) 

In  another  place  he  says  :  And  if  thy  children  ask  thee  in 
time  to  come,  saying,  what  is  this  ?  that  thou  shalt  say  unto 
them :  By  strength  of  hand  the  Lord  brought  us  out  from 
Egypt,  from  the  house  of  bondage.     (Exod.  12,  13.) 

Joshua  commanded  Israel,  according  to  the  word  of  the  Lord, 
and  said  unto  the  twelve  men  :  Pass  over  before  the  ark  of  the 
Lord  your  God  into  the  midst  of  Jordan,  and  take  ye  up  every 
man  6f  you  a  stone  upon  his  shoulder,  according  unto  the  num- 
bers of  the  tribes  of  the  children  of  Israel  :  that  this  may  be  a 
sign  among  you,  that  wheu  your  children  ask  their  fathers  in 
time  to  come,  saying  :  What  mean  ye  by  these  stones  ?  Then, 
ye  shall  answer  them,  that  the  waters  of  Jordan  were  cut  off 
before  the  ark  of  the  covenant  of  the  Lord;  when  Israel  passed 
over  Jordan,  the  waters  of  Jordan  were  cut  off,  and  these  stones 
shall  be  a  memorial  unto  the  children  of  Israel  forever.  (Jos.  4.) 

Behold,  dear  reader,  thus  the  Israelites  were  obliged  to  teach 
their  children  from  their  youth,  and  to  acquaint  them  with  all 
the  mercies  and  miracles  of  the  Lord,  which  they  and  their 
fathers  experienced,  so  that  they  might  fear,  love  and  serve  the 
Lord  all  their  days,  and  thus  receive  blessings,  and  escape 
cursings  which  were  connected  with  the  law.  (Lev.  26  ;  Deut. 
28.) 

In  like  manner,  if  we  rightly  confess  Christ,  we  believe  his 
word,  and  we  and  our  children  desire  to  obtain  the  happy  fields 


of  THE  FAITH  OF  THE  WOMAN  OF  CANAAN.  837 

and  pleasant  land,  and  eternally  to  inherit  the  grace  which  he 
promised  his  children;  therefore,  let  us  not  neglect  it,  but  lay  it 
well  to  heart,  that  we  teach  our  children  rightly  in  the  word, 
and  instruct  them  in  relation  fo  his  righteous  judgments,  so 
that  they  will  learn  to  fear  the  Lord  with  all  their  heart  and 
turn  from  evil. 

And  also  rightly  to  set  forth  his  unbounded  mercy,  love  and 
service  of  his  grace,  so  that  they  may  love  him  and  walk  in  his 
statutes — have  correct  views  and  just  conceptions  of  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord  and  Saviour,  with  his  spirit,  word  and  life,  so 
that  they  may  rightly  know  him  and  walk  in  his  footsteps — thus 
set  them  an  example  in  all  wisdom,  righteousness  and  truth — 
with  a  pious  and  virtuous  life,  so  that  they  may  be  instructed 
thereby,  and  be  taught  and  trained  for  the  kingdom  of  heaven, 
and  for  every  good  work. 

For  all  who  have  such  a  faith  as  this  woman  had,  and  see  that 
the  end  of  sin  is  death,  will  not  cease  to  sigh  and  lament  to  God, 
that  he  would  in  mercy  assist  their  children  to  resist  the  evil 
spirit,  lest  he  ruin  their  poor  souls  and  lead  them  captive  at  his 
will;  but  that  they  may,  in  their  youth,  rightly  learn  how  to  know 
the  immortal,  eternal  God  the  Father,  through  Jesus  Christ  his 
Son,  and  in  truth  submit  to  his  cross.  And  recount  all  the 
mighty  works  and  wonders  of  the  Lord  our  God,  the  great 
mercy,  grace,  favor  and  love  of  the  almighty  Father,  his  blessed 
word,  will,  ordinance  and  life,  with  all  the  merits,  power  and 
fruit  of  the  death  and  blood  of  Christ  his  Son;  also  the  muni- 
ficence, wisdom,  truth  and  the  gifts  of  his  eternal  and  Holy 
Ghost;  this  to  their  children  and  children's  children,  and  all 
their  descendants,  till  the  Lord  Jesus  come  in  the  glorious 
majesty  of  his  heavenly  Father  in  the  clouds  of  heaven,  to  the 
final  judging,  and  where  every  one  will  be  rewarded  according 
to  his  works,  be  they  good  or  evil.  (Matt.  25;  Rom.  3;  2 
Cor.  5.) 

Behold, 'dear  reader,  thus  it  behooves  true  Christians  to  teach, 
to  admonish,  to  reprove,  and  to  correct  their  children,  to  set 
them  an  example  in  all  righteousness,  raise  them  in  the  fear  of 
the  Lord,  be  solicitous  for  their  poor  souls,  lest  they  depart 
from  the  true  path,  die  in  their  sins  and  finally  perish  in  their 
unbelief. 

The  Lord  spoke  of  Abraham  and  said:  Shall  I  hide  from 
Abraham  that  thing  which  I  do;  seeing  that  he  shall  surely 
become  a  great  and  mighty  nation,  and  all  the  nations  of  the 
earth  shall  be  blessed  in  him?  For  I  know  him,  that  he  will 
command  his  children  and  his  household  after  him,  and  they 
shall  keep  the  way  of  the  Lord  to  do  justice  and  judgment. 
CGen.  18.) 

Pious  Tobit  taught  his  son  and  said:  My  son,  obey  thy 


238  OP  THE  FAITH  OF  THE  WOMAN  OF  CANAAN. 

father,  serve  the  Lord  in  truth  and  be  just,  and  this  teach  to 
thy  children,  that  they  give  alms,  always  fear  God  and  love 
him,  and  confide  in  him  with  all  your  heart.  (Tob.  14.) 

And  when  they  attain  the  age  of  maturity,  and  have  not  the 
power  to  refrain  (but  he  that  has,  him  I  would  advise  with  Paul, 
that  he  use  it  to  the  Lord)  let  them  not  marry  to  those  out  of 
Christ  and  his  community,  such  as  the  noble,  rich,  or  handsome, 
as  do  the  proud  and  unchaste ;  but  let  them  marry  such  as  fear, 
love,  honor  and  follow  the  Lord  with  the  whole  heart — be  they 
noble  or  ignoble,  rich  or  poor,  comely  or  uncomely,  for  they  are 
holy  and  children  of  saints,  and  therefore  it  is  of  and  must  be 
done  in  the  name  of  the  Lord.     (Job  8;  1  Cor.  7.) 

Let  eveiy  one  beware  and  do  right,  lest  the  wrath  and  judg- 
ments of  God  be  inflicted  upon  him  on  account  of  his  lewdness, 
even  as  the  judgments  in  the  days  of  Noah  and  Lot  were 
inflicted.     (Gen.  6,  8,  19.) 

But,  alas!  how  few  who  take  this  to  heart  and  cordially  seek 
their  children's  salvation.  If  they  can  but  provide  for  them 
temporally,  then  they  have  their  desires;  their  faith  is  in  priests' 
ordinances  and  church  services;  hope  is  their  salvation,  and 
they  neither  seek  nor  know  another. 

All  their  doings  are  contrary  to  the  word  of  Christ,  for  as 
soon  as  they  are  born  they  are  brought  to  idolatrous  and  false 
baptism,  the  holy  name  of  the  Lord  is  pronounced  over  them, 
they  are  raised  in  all  manner  of  vanity  and  blindness,  in  pomp, 
splendor  and  excess,  in  open  idolatry  and  false  service,  and  the 
dumb,  earthly  life  of  this  world. 

In  and  out  of  their  houses  they  hear  and  see  nothing  but 
unrighteousness  and  malice,  lying,  defrauding,  cursing  and 
swearing,  infldeUty,  avarice,  hatred,  drinking  and  eating  to 
excess  and  all  manner  of  disgrace.  They  never  learn  to  know 
Christ  and  his  word,  but  they  hate  the  truth  and  persecute 
righteousness.  In  short,  they  show  by  their  actions  that  they  are 
full  of  the  evil,  unclean  spirit,  and  are  led  by  it,  as  may  be  seen. 

For  as  your  spirit  is,  so  must  also  your  fruits  be.  Is  the  spirit 
of  Christ  in  you,  which  is  holy  and  pure,  then  are  also  your 
whole  life  and  fruit  pure  and  holy.  Again,  if  the  spirit  of  the 
evil  one  is  in  you,  then  all  your  ways  and  fruits  will  be  evil  and 
impure;  this  is  incontrovertible. 

Therefore,  says  Paul:  For  as  many  as  are  led  by  the  spirit 
of  God  they  are  the  sons  of  God.  Again,  those  who  are  led  by 
the  spirit  of  an  evil  one  are  the  sons  of  the  devil.  Dear  reader, 
reflect  well  upon  this.  Yea,  if  these  poor  people  had  but  a  spark 
of  the  Lord's  spirit,  they  would  a  thousand  times  sooner  be 
seethed  in  boiling  oil,  and  burned  with  fire,  than  hear  and  see 
such  foolishness,  ungodliness  and  wantonness  in  their  children, 
much  less  would  they  teach  them  or  set  them  an  example  in 


6P  the  faith  of  the  woman  of  CANAAN.  239 

such  things.  For  it  is  iiicontrovertible,  according  to  the  scrip- 
tures, if  they  do  not  be  partakers  of  Christ  that  their  end  will 
be  eternal  death.  (Mark  16;  John  3.) 

Hither,  all  you  who  fear  the  Lord:  love  your  children  with 
love  divine,  seek  their  salvation  with  all  your  heart,  even  like 
Abraham,  Tobit,  and  the  Maccabean  mother  did.  (Gen.  23; 
Job.  4;  2  Mace.  7.)  If  they  transgress,  reprove  them  sharply; 
if  they  err,  exhort  them  parentally;  if  tliey  are  child-like,  bear 
with  them  patiently;  if  they  are  of  good  understanding,  instruct 
them  Christ ian-like;  dedicate  them  to  the  Lord  in  their  youth; 
watch  over  their  souls  as  long  as  they  are  under  your  care;  so 
that  you  will  not  lose  your  salvation  On  their  account;  pray 
without  ceasing,  like  this  pious  woman  did,  that  the  Lord  may 
grant  them  his  grace,  that  they  may  resist  the  devil,  subdue 
their  natural  depravity  by  the  spirit  and  help  of  the  Lord,  and 
walk  from  their  youth  up  before  God  and  his  community,  in 
all  righteousness,  truth  and  wisdom,  in  a  firm  and  sure  faith, 
in  unfeigned  love  and  living  hope,  in  an  honorable  and  holy 
life,  unblamable  and  without  offence,  abounding  in  the  fruits 
of  faith  to  eternal  life.     Amen. 

The  attentive  reader  may  also  add  to  the  aforementioned 
examples,  the  faith  of  the  Virgin  Mary;  the  faith  of  Matthew; 
of  aged  Simeon  and  Hannah;  and  that  of  the  blind  man, 
(Luke  1;  Matt.  9;  Luke  2,  5,  18";  Mark  10,)  and  such  like  more, 
to  seriously  reflect  on  with  a  pious  mind.  I  trust  he  will,  by 
the  aid  and  grace  of  the  Lord,  fully  understand  the  nature  of 
true  Christian  faith,  that  it  is  unostentatious,  without  hypoc- 
risy, Godfearing,  righteous,  long-suffering,  ardent,  peaceable, 
joyful,  merciful,  amiable,  helpful,  kind,  meek,  zealous,  un- 
blamable and  pious,  ever  fruitful  inwardly  in  power  to  God , 
outwardly  towards  his  fellow  men;  even  as  a  good  tree  brings 
forth  good  fruit  of  its  own,  so  must  also  a  true  Christian  faith 
bring  forth.  For  it  cannot  be  otherwise,  the  righteous  must 
live  by  faith.     (Hab.  2  ;  Rom.  1 ;  Gal.  3  ;  Heb.  10.) 

If  Abraham,  Isaac  and  Jacob,  Moses,  Joshua  and  Samuel, 
with  all  the  patriarchs  and  prophets  believed  the  word  of  the 
Lord,  which  was  declared  to  them  by  angels,  or  were  found  so 
faithful  therein  ;  how  much  more  should  we  believe  the  word, 
and  be  faithful  to  that  word  which  the  prince  of  angels,  God's 
only  begotten  Son,  the  true  witness  and  teacher  of  righteous- 
ness, Christ  Jesus,  who  came  from  the  high  heavens  from  his 
Father's  bosom,  brought  down  aud  taught  on  this  earth.  (John 
7,  14.) 

It  will  not  suffice  to  say  that  Jesus  Christ  is  the  Son  of 
God,  that  he  fulfilled  the  law  for  us,  that  he  paid  for  our  sins 
with  his  blood,  and  made  reconciliation  with  the  Father,  by  his 
offering  and  death  :  neither  will  it  suffice  to  only  believe  that 


M)  OF  THE  PAITH  OF  THE  WOMAN  OF  CANAAN. 

his  gospel  is  true,  bis  word  is  riglit,  the  wages  of  sin  is  death, 
and  that  grace  is  eternal  life  ;  but  the  heart  must  rightly  com- 
prehend it,  and  the  mind  must  be  resolved  upon  it,  or  it  will 
not  otherwise  justify.  Paul  says  :  With  the  heart  we  believe 
unto  righteousness.     (Rom.  10.) 

But  all  who  believe  with  their  whole  hearts  that  Christ  Jesus 
is  the  righteous  branch  of  David  ;  the  true  promised  prophet ; 
the  right  way  and  truth,  and  our  only  propitiator,  intercessor, 
mediator  and  high  priest.  (Jer.  22  ;  Deut.  18;  Rom.  3;  2  John 
2 ;  Heb.  5,  13  ;)  they  also  believe  that  all  his  words  are  im- 
mutable and  true ;  and  his  offering  sufficient  and  perfect;  they, 
therefore  obey  his  word,  walk  in  his  commands,  bow  to  his 
sceptre  and  pacify  their  consciences  by  his  grace,  reconciliation, 
merits,  offering,  promises,  death  and  blood,  believe  and  ac- 
knowledge if  they  neglect  his  will  and  word,  and  presumptu- 
ously transgress  his  will,  and  live  according  to  the  flesh,  that 
God  would  require  such  at  their  hands,  and  would  eternally 
punish  them,  through  his  righteous  judgment,  with  the  fire  of 
his  wrath ;  for  those  who  with  impunity  transgressed  the 
law  of  Moses,  had  to  die  without  mercy,  through  two  or  three 
witnesses  ;  and  of  how  much  sorer  punishment  are  they  worthy 
who  tread  under  foot  the  law  of  God,  and  count  the  blood  of 
the  covenant,  whereby  they  are  sanctified,  an  unholy  thing, 
and  have  done  despite  unto  the  spirit  of  grace  ?  CDeut.  17  ; 
Heb.  10.) 

Yes,  kind  reader,  if  we  truly  believe  it,  and  rightly  under- 
stand it  in  our  souls,  it  moves  and  influences  our  hearty  so  with 
the  fear  and  love  of  the  Lord,  that  although  all  the  tyrants 
that  ever  were,  would  rise  with  all  their  dread  tyranny,  torture, 
pain  and  blood -shedding,  and  stand  before  us,  they  should  not 
in  the  least  deter  or  hinder  us  from  the  Lord's  word  and.  way. 
Besides  all  our  impure,  sensual  thoughts,  unseasoned  words, 
and  our  useless,  ungodly  works  would  soon  die,  as  Sirach  says: 
The  fear  of  the  Lord  dispels  sin;  and  it  is  impcssible,  without 
the  fear  of  the  Lord,  to  become  right.  (Sirach  1.) 
.  Seeing  then,  it  is  more  than  clear,  that  a  sincere  Christian, 
through  faith  in  God  knows  God  in  his  righteousness,  and  there- 
fore fears  his  judgment  and  thus  through  fear  buries  sin  and  dies 
to  it,  (as  more  than  once  related ;)  and  nevertheless,  you  live  in 
all  avarice,  unchastity,  drunkenness,  wrath,  lewdness,  blindness, 
idolatry,  and  all  manner  of  wickedness;  say,  beloved,  where  are 
your  faith  and  word  of  God  of  which  you  boast  so  much?  Do 
you  not  know  that  it  is  written  :  If  you  live  after  the  flesh  you 
shall  die?  Or  do  you  think  that  you  can  trifle  with  God  as  with 
a  man?  Be  not  deceived,  says  Paul,  for  God  will  not  be  mocked. 
(Gal.  6.) 

Ah!  reader,  beware  1 1  tell  you  the  truth  in  Christ;  take  care 


OlP"  THE  FAITH  OP  *ttE  WOMAN  OP  CANAAN.  241 

of  yourself;  if  you  do  not  repent  with  all  your  heart  and  seek 
God  through  Christ,  do  hear,  believe  and  fear  him,  but  remain 
earthly  and  sensual,  and  walk  after  the  lusts  of  your  flesh,  your 
sentence,  already  pronounced,  will  be  death.  (Rom.  1,  6;  1  Cor. 
6;  Gal.  5;  Eph.  5;  Rev.  21,  22.)  As  Christ  himself  says:  1 
judge  no  man,  but  the  word  that  I  have  spoken  the  same  shall 
judge  him  in  the  last  day.     (John  12.) 

I,  therefore,  faithfully  admonish  you,  as  before  God,  even  as 
I  do  my  own  soul,  divest  yourselves  immediately  of  false  doc- 
trine, of  all  unbelief,  idolatry  and  earthly,  disgraceful  lives,  in 
which,  alas!  you  have  hitherto  walked,  lest  the  Wrath  of  Grod 
overtake  you  in  the  sleep  of  your  sins. 

Awaken!  He  is  still  merciful;  seek  and  receive  the  true  doc- 
trine, true  faith,  true  sacraments,  the  true  service  and  lead  a 
godly  life,  as  the  scriptures  teach:  Then  shall  your  light  break 
forth  as  the  morning,  and  your  health  shall  spring  forth  speed- 
ily, and  your  righteousness  sh-all  go  before  yOu  and  the  glory 
of  the  Lord  shall  be  your  reward.     (Isa.  58.) 

Further,  I  say:  If  you  truly  believe  and  rightly  understand 
that  you  became,  in  and  through  Adam* sdisobedierice>  children 
of  .the  devil,  of  wrath,  and  of  eternal  death,  subjected  to  God's 
righteous  curse  and  judgment;  but  every  obstacle  and  all  your 
sins  are  taken  away  through  th«  precious  blood  of  Christ,  and 
you  are  reconciled;  and  are  called  from  wrath  into  grace,  from 
cursings  to  blessings,  and  out  of  death  to  life,  (not  to  mention 
the  favors  which  are  daily  shown  you;)  to  believe  this  your 
hearts  would  sprout  forth  as  the  sweet-scented  blooming  violet, 
full  of  pure  love :  yea,  flow  as  the  living  fountain,  from  which 
flow  forth  the  refreshing  sweet  waters  of  righteousness,  and  you 
would,  with  holy  Paul,  say,  from  the  bottom  of  your  soul:  Who 
should  separate  us  from  the  love  of  God?  (Rom.  8. )  Since  it 
can  never  be  if  I  am  in  bonds  of  perfection  with  him,  and  love 
him  with  a  pure  heart,  good  conscience  and  unfeigned  faith, 
that  nothing  then  can  turn  us  away  or  separate  us  from  him. 
(1  Tim.  1.)  For  it  is  my  own  desire  and  highest  joy  that  I  hear 
and  speak  of  his  word,  and  in  my  weakness  walk  as  he  com- 
manded and  taught  through  his  Son,  should  it  even  cost  money 
and  possessions,  flesh  or  blood.    His  will  be  done. 

Behold,  dear  reader,  since  then  it  is  more  than  clear  in  the 
Holy  Scriptures,  that  the  true  Christian  faith  through  the  fear 
of  God  dies  to  sin,  and  through  love  does  the  things  of  righte- 
ousness, (though  in  weakness,)  I  let  you  judge  whether  those 
believe  from  the  heart,  who  with  the  mouth  say  that  the  blood 
of  Christ  is  the  propitiatory  sacrifice  of  their  sin,  and  never- 
theless seek  and  follow  up  all  kinds  of  idolatry,  such  as  infant 
baptism,  holy  water,  absolution,  auricular  confession,  masses, 
gold,  silver,  and  wooden  images,  wafers,  stone  churches,  and 

11 


242  OF   THE  FAITH  OF  THE  WOMAN  OP  CANAAN. 

the  drunken  whoredom  of  the  priests.  Ah!  how  well  it  would 
be  for  them  that  they  would  reflect. 

I  say,  as  true  as  the  Lord  lives,  there  will  eternally  be  found 
no  other  remedy  for  our  sins,  whether  in  heaven  or  upon  earth, 
neither  works,  merits  nor  sacraments,  (though  they  are  used  ac- 
cording to  the  scriptures, )  neither  cross  nor  tribulation,  neither 
holy  angels  nor  men,  nor  any  other  means  will  avail  but  alone 
the  crimson,  immaculate  blood  of  the  lamb,  Christ,  which  was 
out  of  pure  grace,  mercy  and  love,  shed  and  spilt  for  the  remis- 
sion of  our  sins.  (Isa.  53;  Matt.  26;  Mark  14;  Luke  22;  Rom. 
3;  Col.  1;  1  Pet.  1;  1  John  1;  Rev.  1,  7.) 

Therefore,  it  is  incontrovertible  that  all  those  who  use  such 
strange  idolatrous  means  for  sin  belong  not  to  the  grateful 
community  of  Christ.  Hence,  I  will  present  you  with  a  few 
passages  from  the  gospel  and  writings  of  the  apostles,  and  hang 
them  before  your  eyes  as  a  clear  mirror,  in  which  you  may  view 
yourselves,  and  see  whether  you  are  believing  Christians. 

Thus  teaches  the  word  of  the  Lord :  Verily,  verily ,  I  say  unto 
you,  except  a  man  be  born  again,  he  cannot  see  the  kingdom  of 
Ood.  (John  3.)  And  again:  Of  a  truth  I  say  unto  you,  except 
ye  be  converted  and  become  as  little  children,  ye  cannot  enter  the 
kingdom  of  heaven.     (Matt.  18.) 

Prove  yourselves,  if  you  are  born  of  the  pure  seed  of  the 
holy  word,  for  the  nature  of  the  seed  must  be  in  you;  and  have 
you  in  malice  become  like  children,  then  there  are  no  more 
pride,  unchastity,  avarice,  hatred  and  envy  in  you;  for  innocent 
children  know  nothing  of  such  sins.  But  if  you  are  yet  in 
Adam  and  not  in  Christ,  and  walk  after  the  desires  of  your  own 
depraved  flesh,  then  you  show  indeed  that  you  are  not  born  of 
God  and  have  not  his  faith. 

The  Lord's  word  teaches  again:  Qo  and  preach  the  gospel  to 
every  creature;  he  that  believeth  and  is  baptized  shall  be  saved. 
(Mark  16.)  Here,  prove  yourselves  again.  He  that  believes 
and  is  rightly  baptized,  truly  repents,  circumcises  his  heart, 
dies  to  sin,  rises  in  Christ  to  a  new  life,  &c.  But  if  you  remain 
impenitent,  your  hearts  uncircumcised,  not  dead  to  sin,  but 
live  out  of  Christ  and  his  word,  then  is  the  deed  your  witness 
that  you  are  disbelievers  and  have  not  the  baptism  of  Christ. 
Again  does  the  word  of  the  Lord  teach:  If  thou  wouldst 
enter  life  keep  the  commandments.  (Matt.  19.)  For  in  Christ, 
says  Paul,  neither  circumcision  nor  uncircumcision  avail- 
eth,  but  the  keeping  of  the  commands  of  God.  (1  Cor.  7.)  And 
this  is  his  command:  That  you  shall  love  the  Lord  thy  God 
with  all  your  heart,  with  all  your  soul,  with  all  your  strength, 
and  your  neighbor  as  yourself.  (1  Matt.  22;  Deut  6;  Mark  12; 
Luke  20;  Lev.  19;  Rom.  13;  Gal.  5.) 

Hereby  prove  yourselves  again:  If  you  love  God,  you  will 


OP  THE  FAITH  OP  THE  WOMAN  OF  CANAAN.  243 

keep  his  commandments.  (John,  14,  15;  1  John  5.)  And  you 
will  do  to  your  neighbor  as  you  would  have  him  do  to  you.  If 
you  refuse  his  word,  and  live  not  up  to  and  walk  after  his  or- 
dinances, doctrine,  baptism,  supper  and  separation,  and  also 
belie,  defraud,  betray  your  neighbor  and  deprive  him  of  life, 
disgrace  his  wife,  daughter,  or  maid;  deal  treacherously  with 
him;  deceive  the  poor,  blind  souls  and  lead  them  off  from  the 
truth,  way  and  obedience  of  the  Lord,  Ceither  by  false  doctrine 
or  persecution,)  and  rob  therii  of  the  eternal  kingdom  and  lead 
them  to  hell;  then  it  is  more  than  clear  that  you  hate  the 
command  of  the  Lord  and  have  not  his  faith. 

Again,  the  word  of  the  Lord  teaches:  Enter  ye  in  at  the 
strait  gate;  for  wide  is  the  gate,  and  broad  is  the  way  that 
leadeth  to  destruction,  and  many  there  be  which  go  in  thereat ; 
because  strait  is  the  gate^  and  narrow  is  the  way^  which  leadeth 
unto  life,  and  few  there  be  thatfindit.  (Matt.  7;  Luke  13.)  At 
another  place  it  is  written:  If  any  man  will  come  after  me,  let 
him  deny  himself,  and  take  up  his  cross  and  follow  me.  He  that 
loves  father  and  mother,  husband  or  wife,  son  or  daughter,  more 
than  me,  is  not  worthy  ofine.     (Matt.  10,  16;  Luke  14.  j 

Here  prove  yourselves.  Have  you  such  a  spirit,  such  frank- 
ness and  faith,  that  you  are  ready  to  suffer  on  account  of  the 
word  of  God  and  for  his  testimony's  sake;  to  forsake  in  time 
of  need,  father,  mother  and  all,  take  upon  you  the  cross  of 
Christ,  deny  yourselves,  enter  with  Christ  upon  the  path  of 
misery,  and  with  the  little  flock  enter  in  at  the  strait  gate.  The 
Lord  strengthen  you.  But  if  you  live  unto  yourselves,  reject 
the  cross  of  Christ,  and  love  father,  mother,  wife,  children, 
property  or  life  more  than  Christ,  walk  in  the  broad  way  with 
the  multitude  and  enter  the  wide  gate,  then  the  Lord's  own 
mouth  gives  testimony  that  you  are  disbelievers  and  that  your 
end  is  damnation .  ' 

Again,  says  the  word  of  the  Lord:  And'they  that  are  Chrisfs 
have  crucified  the  flesh  with  the  affections  and  lusts.  (Gal.  5.) 
For  those  who  live  after  the  flesh,  such  as  adulterers,  whore- 
mongers, incontinent  persons,  drunkards,  avaricious,  gamblers, 
thieves,  the  haughty,  the  hateful,  defamers,  blood-thirsty,  idola- 
ters, shall  die.     (Rom.  1;  1  Cor  6;  Gal.  5;  Eph.  5.) 

Prove  yourselves  again:  Do  your  lusts  reign  in  you,  and  do 
you  walk  in  such  like  works  as  I  related  to  you,  or  do  you  sub- 
due your  lust  through  faith;  then  thank  God,  fight  faithfully, 
watch  and  pray.  But  if  you  donot,  and  live  in  the  lusts  of  your 
flesh,  then  reform ;  for  it  is  evident  that  you  are  not  penitent, 
believing  Christians,  but  impenitent  sensual  heathens. 

Again,  the  word  of  the  Lord  teaches:  Therefore,  take  no 
thought,  saying^  What  shall  we  eat  ?  or  what  shall  we  drink  f  or, 
wherewithal  shall  we  be  clothed?    For  after  all  these  things  do  the 


244  OF  THE  FAITH  OF  THE  WOMAN  OF  CANAAf^. 

Gentiles  seek :  But  seeTc  ye  first  the  kingdom  of  God  and  Ms  rigJd- 
eousness;  and  all  these  things  shall  be  added  unto  you.  (Matt.  6.) 

Here  ask  yourself  again :  If  you  believe  that  the  strong  and 
mighty  God,  who  nourished  Israel  for  forty  years  with  bread 
from  heaven  and  with  water  from  the  rock,  and  kept  their 
clothes  from  being  worn  out,  (Exod.  26;  Deut.  29;^  and  fed 
Elias  by  a  raven,  (1  Sam.  17,)  will  not  forsake  you  in  your  dis- 
tress, but  will  provide  for  you  by  his  grace,  this  is  a  true  evi- 
dence that  you  have  the  word  of  the  Lord.  But  if  through  your 
cares  you  are  so  induced  or  constrained  that  you  neglect  the  king- 
dom of  God  and  his  righteousness,  seek  temporal  more  than 
eternal  things,  and  are  so  much  concerned  as  if  God  had  more 
concern  for  the  flowers  and  fowls  than  for  you  and  your  chil- 
dren, boast  not  that  you  believe  the  promise  and  the  word  of 
the  Lord. 

Again,  the  word  of  the  Lord  teaches:  For  God  so  loved  the 
worlds  that  he  gave  his  only  begotten  Son,  that  wJiosoever  be- 
lieveth  in  ?dm  should  not  perisJi,  but  have  everlasting  life.  For 
God  sent  not  his  Son  into  the  loorld  to  condemn  the  world,  but 
that  the  world  through  him  might  be  saved.  He  that  believeth 
on  Mm  is  not  condemned]  but  he  that  believeth  not  is  condemned 
already,  because  he  hath  not  believed  in  the  name  of  the  only  be- 
gotton  Son  of  God.     (John  3.) 

Here  prove  yourselves  for  the  seventh  time.  If  you  believe 
these  words  of  Christ  with  the  whole  heart,  that  the  almighty, 
eternal  Father  had  such  love  to  give  you  and  the  whole  human 
family,  that  he  sent  his  incomprehensible,  almighty  and  eternal 
Word,  Wisdom,  Truth  and  Son,  by  whom  he  created  the  heav- 
ens and  the  earth  and  the  fulness  thereof,  and  his  eternal  glory, 
into  this  vale  of  misery;  let  him  become  a  poor,  grieved,  misera- 
ble man — let  him  hunger,  thirst,  and  be  slandered,  appre- 
hended, scourgec^  crowned  with  thorns  and  crucified,  hence  it 
is  impossible  for  your  carnal  heart  not  to  become  spiritual,  your 
thoughts  must  be  chaste  and  pure,  your  words  discreet  and 
well  seasoned,  and  your  whole  life,  pious  and  unblamable. 

Instantly  you  should  awaken,  walk  in  the  right  way,  keep 
aloof  from  all  abomination  and  idolatry,  forsake  false  prophets, 
preachers  and  priests  ;  and  seek  for  the  right  doctrine,  sacra- 
ments and  divine  service  ;  for  a  true,  sincere,  Christian  faith 
cannot  be  idle  ;  but  it  changes,  renews,  purifies,  sanctifies  and 
justifies  more  and  more,  it  makes  joyous  and  glad,  for  by  faith 
ke  knows  that  hell,  devil,  sin  and  death  are  conqured  through 
Christ,  and  that  grace,  mercy,  and  redemption  from  sin,  and 
eternal  life,  are  acquired  through  him.  In  full  confidence  be 
approaches  the  Father,  in  the  name  of  Christ,  receives  the 
Holy  Ghost,  becomes  partaker  of  the  divine  nature,  and  is  re- 
newed after  the  image  of  him  who  created  him,  lives  by  the 


OP  THE  FAITH  OF  THE  WOMAN  OF  CANAAN.  245 

virtue  of  Christ,  which  is  in  him,  all  his  ways  are  righteous- 
ness, godliness,  honesty,  chastity,  truth,  wisdom,  goodness, 
benevolence,  light,  love  and  joy.  (Rom.  8  ;  Gal.  4 ;  Eph.  3,  3  ; 
2  Pet.  1  ;  Eph.  4 ;  Col.  3 ;  Gal.  2.) 

He  sanctifies  his  body  and  heart  as  a  habitation  and  temple 
of  Christ  and  his  H©ly  Ghost ;  hales  all  that  is  against  God  and 
his  word,  honors,  praises  and  thanks  God  with  a  sincere  heart; 
and  there  is  nothing  to  deter  him,  neither  judgment  nor  wrath; 
neither  hell  nor  devil ;  neither  sin  nor  eternal  death.  For  he 
knows  that  Christ  is  his  intercessor,  mediator  and  propitiator. 
He  knows  with  holy  Paul :  There  is,  therefore,  now  no  condem- 
nation to  them  which  are  in  Christ  Jesus,  who  walk  not  after 
the  flesh,  but  after  the  spirit.  (Rom.  8.)  The  Lord's  spirit 
assures  him  that  he  is  a  child  of  God  and  a  joint  heir  of  Christ, 
he,  therefore,  wholly  dedicates  himself  to  his  Lord  and  Saviour 
Jesus  Christ,  who  called  him  through  grace,  drew  him  by 
his  spirit,  enlightened  him  by  his  word,  and  purchased  him  by 
his  blood. 

Behold,  this  is  the  nature  of  true  faith,  which  has  such  an 
urgent,  cogent  power,  spirit,  fear,  energy  and  life;  which  avails 
with  God  and  has  the  promise  in  the  scriptures.  Happy  he  who 
has  such  a  faith  and  will  salutarily  retain  it  to  the  end.  I 
I  repeat  it :  prove  yourselves  whether  yourselves  you  are  in  the 
faith ;  in  Christ  or  out  of  Christ ;  penitent  or  impenitent.  For 
in  the  mirror  presented  you  may  view  the  whole  face  of  your 
conscience  and  life  ;  if  you  but  believe  that  your  Lord's  word 
is  true  and  right.  Here  notice  how  that  the  true  Christian 
faith  (in  grace,  which  is  a  flowing  fountain,  whence  is  not  only 
a  penitent,  new  life,  but  also  the  obedience  to  the  evangelical 
ceremonies,  such  as  baptism  and  the  Lord's  supper,)  will  have 
to  come  and  follow,  not  as  those  compelled  through  the  law  ; 
the  rod  of  the  oppressor  is  broken,  (Isa.  9,)  but  voluntarily, 
through  the  free  will,  and  submissive  spirit  of  love,  which  is 
of  a  Christian  nature,  is  ready  to  all  good  works  and  obedience 
of  the  holy  divine  word. 

For  all  the  truly  regenerated  and  spiritual  confoiTn  in  all 
things  to  the  word  and  ordinances  of  the  Lord  :  not  because 
they  think  to  merit  the  propitiation  of  their  sins  and  eternal 
life;  by  no  means.  In  this  matter  they  depend  upon  nothing 
except  the  true  promise  of  the  merciful  Father,  graciously  given 
to  all  believers,  through  the  blood  and  merits  of  Christ,  which 
blood  (I  again  say)  is  and  ever  will  be  the  only  eternal  medium 
of  our  reconciliation,  and  not  works,  baptism  or  the  Lord's 
supper,  as  above  related. 

For  if  our  reconciliation  depended  upon  words  and  ceremo- 
nies, then  it  would  not  be  grace,  and  the  merits  and  fruits  of 
the  blood  of  Christ  would  be  void.    Q,  no  !  it  is  grace  and  wiU 


246  OF  THE  FAITH  OP  THE  WOMAN  OF  CANAAN.       ' 

be  gi'ace  to  all  eternity — all  what  tlie  merciful  Father  is  doing 
or  has  done  for  us  grievous  sinners,  through  his  Son  and  Holy- 
Ghost,  is  grace.  But,  therefore,  it  happens  that  they  hear  the 
voice  of  the  Lord,  believe  his  word,  and  set  forth  the  reptesen- 
tation  of  both  signs,  under  water,  bread  and  wine,  in  obedience 
(though  in  weakness)  observe  and  do  it.  For  a  truly  believing 
Christian  is  thus  minded,  that  he  will  not  tlo  otherwise  than 
what  the  word  of  the  Lord  enjoins  and  teaches  ;  for  he  knows 
that  all  presumption  and  disobedience  are  like  sins  of  witch- 
craft, and  the  end  thereof  is  death.  (1  Sam.  15  ;  Num.  15  ; 
Heb.  10.) 

Yes,  good  reader,  thetrue  Christian  belief  as  the  scriptures 
require,  is  so  lively,  active,  strong  and  powerful  with  all  those 
who  have  rightly  received  it  through  the  grace  of  the  Lord, 
that  they  do  not  fear  to  forsake  father,  mother,  wife  and  chil- 
dren, money  and  possessions  for  the  Lord's  word  and  testimony's 
sake,  to  suffer  all  manner  of  scorn  and  disgrace,  fatigue,  hard- 
ship and  prison,  and. finally  he  burnt  at  the  stake,  as  may 
abundantly  be  seen  in  the  pious  children  and  witnesses  of 
Christ,  especially  in  these  our  Netherlands. 

Alas  !  how  many  did  I  know  before,  and  know  the  greater 
part  of  them  now,  both  men  and  women,  men  and  maid  ser- 
vants, and  virgins,  (would  to  God  that  they  be  increased  to 
many  hundred  thousands,)  who,  from  the  inmost  of  their  souls, 
seek  Christ  and  his  word,  and  lead,  in  all  meekness,  a  pious  and 
unblamable  life  before  God  and  man;  sincere  and  holy  in  doc- 
trine, full  of  the  fear  and  love  of  God,  ready  to  help  one  another, 
merciful,  compassionate,  meek,  sober,  chaste,  neither  refractory 
nor  seditious  ;  but  quiet  and  peaceable,  obedient  to  the  magis- 
tracy in  all  things  not  contrary  to  God  ;  and  who  have,  never- 
theless for  a  number  of  years  not  slept  in  their  beds,  and  even 
do  not  now  ;  for  they  are  so  much  hated  by  the  world  that  they 
have  been  persecuted,  betrayed,  taken,  exiled  and  slain  like 
highwaymen,  thieves  and  murderers,  and  that  without  mercy  ; 
and  for  no  other  reason,  only  because  they  out  of  tnie  fear  of 
God,  dare  not  take  part  in  the  abominable,  sensual  life,  and 
with  the  accursed,  disgraceful  idolatry  of  this  blind  world: 
neither  dare  they  hear  nor  acknowledge  the  unchaste,  drunken, 
lecherous  priests  and  deceiving  blind  preachers,  as  the  true 
apostles  and  teachers  of  God;  and  dare  not  receive  the  bread 
with  the  avaricious,  envious,  proud,  drunkards,  whores  and 
rogues,  at  their  hands;  and  carry  their  children  to  Anti-Christian 
washing  and  baptism,  but  seek  preachers  and  teachers,  and  also 
such  a  baptism,  supper,  church  and  life,  which  are  in  accord- 
ance with  the  scriptures,  and  may  stand  according  to  the  word 
of  the  Lord. 

Behold,  before  God,  I  wi"ite  the  truth,  indeed  they  are  such  a 


OF  THE  FAITH  OF  THE  WOMAN  OF    CANAAN.  347 

people,  if  I  otherwise  know  them  rightly  (hypocrites  excepted,) 
who  weep  more  than  they  laugh,  who  sorrow  more  than  they 
are  joyful,  give  more  than  they  receive,  who  are  ready  not  only 
to  sacrifice  possessions,  and  their  all,  but  also  body  and  life  for 
the  praise  of  the  Lord,  and  to  the  necessary  service  of  their 
neighbor,  as  much  as  in  them  is.  And  no  matter  how  much  the 
poor  children  are  harassed,  they  are  still  so  much  strengthened 
in  God,  that  they  can  neither  be  moved  nor  deterred.  They 
possess  their  souls  with  patience,  waiting  for  the  joy  promised. 
Truly  said  Christ:  Ye  will  be  hated  of  all  men  for  my  sake. 
(Matt.  24.; 

Since  then  it  is  evident  from  all  this,  that  the  true  evangeli- 
cal faith  is  of  such  a  nature,  as  said,  and  is  the  only  means  and 
tree  which  through  the  grace  of  God  bears  and  propagates  all 
manner  of  good  fruit,  therefore,  it  is  considered,  in  scripture, 
the  most  precious  and  greatest  work,  ("John  6,)  and  all  things 
are  ascribed  to  faith,  such  as  miracles,  and  the  power  to  become 
the  children  of  God  and  be  justified;  be  blessed  and  saved; 
purified  and  sanctified ;  and  have  eternal  life,  as  we  have  related 
when  treating  of  the  Malefactor's  faith.  (Matt.  14;  Mark  16; 
Luke  17;  1  Cor.  13.  Rom.  3,  5,  18;  Gal.  3;  1  Pet.  1;  Acts  15; 
John  3,  7,  11.) 

Not,  dear  reader,  that  we  believe  that  faith  merits  this  on 
account  of  its  worth;  by  no  means,  but  because  God's  pleasure, 
through  his  word,  is  connected  with  true  faith,  (Matt.  14;  Mark 
16;  John  3,  7,  11,  21,)  then  it  must  also  by  virtue  of  that  word 
follow  faith.  For  the  scrij)tures  plainly  teach  that  all  things, 
visible  and  invisible,  have  to  hear,  yield,  serve  and  follow  God's 
powerful  word,  as  when  he  said:  Let  there  be  heaven  and 
earth.  Heaven  and  earth  sprang  into  existence  at  these  words. 
(Gen.  1.)  For  his  word,  says  Esdras,  is  his  perfect  work.  (1 
Esd.  6.)  God  also  says  to  Israel:  If  thou  shalt  hearken  unto 
the  voice  of  the  Lord  thy  God,  all  these  blessings  shall  come 
on  thee;  but  if  thou  wilt  not  hearken,  the  curse  shall  be  upon 
thee;  (Lev.  26;  Deut.  28,)  and  it  also  happened,  as  it  was  told 
Israel:  for  God,  says  Balaam,  is  not  a  man  that  he  should  lie; 
neither  the  son  of  man,  that  he  should  repent.  CNum.  23.)  For 
these  reasons  the  promise  must  follow  true  faith,  else  God  who 
is  a  God  of  truth,  must  be  untrue  and  faithless,  cannot  be 
denied.  O  no!  all  that  he  wills  must  be  done,  what  he  pro- 
mises must  be  fulfilled,  and  not  otherwise  than  he  has  promised, 
for  he  alone  is  true,  and  we  are  all  liars.  (Ps.  31;  Rom.  3.) 
Paul  says:  If  we  believe  not,  yet  he  abideth  faithful:  he  cannot 
deny  himself     (2  Tim.  2.) 

Since  then  faith  so  firmly  knows  that  God  cannot  break  his 
promise,  but  must  keep  it,  because  he  is  the  truth  and  cannot 
lie,  therefore,  does  he  make  his  children   joyful  and  glad  in 


248  OF  THE  FAITH  OF  THE  WOMAN  OF  CANAAN. 

spirit;  though  they  are  confined  in  prisons,  bonds,  and  have  to 
endure  water  and  fire,  or  are  in  chains  and  at  the  stake;  for 
they  are  assured  in  the  spirit  through  faith,  that  God  will  fulfil 
his  promise  made  to  them;  for  they  beUeve  on  Christ,  inas- 
much as  the  promises  are  sealed,  and  they  are  assured  thereof 
through  his  grace,  word  and  will,  although  they  did  formerly 
hve  ungodly  and  carnally. 

They  hope  with  faithful  Abraham  where  nothing  is  to  be 
hoped,  and  wait  for  things  invisible  as  though  they  saw  them; 
and  with  full  confidence  adhere  to  the  assurance,  truth,  faith- 
fulness and  power  of  the  heavenly  promise,  (Rom.  4;  Heb.  11,) 
which  is  made  to  us  by  the  infallible,  true  mouth  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  the  Son  of  God,  without  any  previous  work  or 
merit,  through  his  merciful  Father's  gracious  choice  and  will,  in 
his  true  word.  CJames  1;  Eph.  2;  Phil.  1;  Rom.  10.)  And 
that  your  regeneration,  justifying,  converting,  penitent,  active 
and  confident  faith,  which  comes  from  the  Father  of  light,  by 
hearing  his  holy  word,  is  the  only  faith  that  avails  with  God, 
and  which  has  the  assurance  of  the  promise  of  grace  in  the 
word,  through  the  Holy  Ghost;  besides  this,  the  scriptures  know 
of  no  other  faith. 

Before  now  I  read  in  some  books  which  they  have  written, 
there  is  but  one  good  work  which  saves  us,  namely,  faith,  and 
but  one  sin  which  will  damn  us,  namely,  unbelief.  This  I  will 
leave  as  it  is,  and  not  find  fault  with  it;  for  where  there  is  a 
sincere,  true  faith^  there  is  also  all  manner  of  sincere,  good 
fruits.  And  on  the  other  hand,  where  there  is  unbelief,  there  is ' 
also  all  manner  of  evil  fruits;  therefore,  is  salvation  properly 
ascribed  to  faith,  and  damnation  to  unbelief .  (Mark  16;  John  3. ) 

Faithful  reader,  pay  attention.  Since  we  plainly  see  and 
perceive  that  the  whole  world,  Papists,  Lutherans,  Zuinglians, 
Davidists,  libertines,  &c.,  walk  the  broad  road  of  sin,  and  lead 
a  sensual  life,  and  do  not  abide  by  the  pure,  salutary,  perfect 
doctrine,  sacrament  and  unblamable,  pure  example  of  Christ; 
they  are  themselves  witnesses  that  they  reject  the  corner  stone, 
Jesus  Christ,  and  believe  not  his  word  and  truth,  though  a  few 
of  them  write  much  of  faith  and  speak  of  the  scriptures.  (Rom. 
6;  Col.  2;  Matt.  22:  1  Pet.  2.)  Say,  beloved,  did  you  ever 
read  in  the  scriptures,  or  did  you  ever  hear  that  a  truly  be- 
lieving regenerated  Christian,  after  repentance  and  conversion, 
was  proud,  avaricious,  incontinent,  tyrannical  and  idolatrous, 
and  lived  after  the  lusts  of  his  flesh  ?  You  have  to  say,  no  ! 
And  if  you  speak  of  Peter  and  David,  you  must  observe  that 
they  did  not  delay  repentance,  and  what  kind  of  penance  they 
did.  (2  Sam.  11,  12;  Luke  22.)  Turn  yourself  to  the  east,  or 
to  the  west,  to  the  south  or  north,  you  find  with  all  those  who 
boast  of  faith,  ungodly,  vain,  pompous,  foolish  actions  and  con- 


OF  THE  FAITH  OF  THE  WOMAN  OF  CANAAN.  249 

duct,  that  we  have  to  say  with  Christ  and  John,  that  they  are, 
with  few  exceptions,  of  the  devil  and  not  of  God.  (John  8;  1 
John  3.)  For  the  devil  was  from  the  beginning,  proud  and 
haughty,  so  are  they;  he  was  a  liar,  so  are  they  ;  he  was  a  falsifier 
of  the  word  of  the  Lord,  so  are  they ;  he  was  disputatious 
against  God,  so  are  they.  In  short,  he  is  a  revengeful  mur- 
derer, an  abominable  blood-thirsty  tyrant,  so  are  many  of  them. 
The  way  in  which  they  use  those  who  seek  Christ  sincerely  and 
believe,  fear,  follow,  serve  and  call  on  him,  has  been  more  than 
once  fully  related. 

Yea,  alas,  they  are  so  enraged  at  them  that  they  will  scarce 
call  them  by  their  right  names,  but  they  call  them  ana-baptists, 
fanatics,  rioters,  factionists,  hedge  preachers,  deceivers,  here- 
tics, new  monks,  knaves  and  miscreants,  although  they  do  seek 
the  kingdom  of  God  and  his  righteousness  with  aU  their  hearts, 
(which  God  knows,  who  tries  the  reins  and  hearts  of  men,)  and 
wish  no  evil  to  any  one  upon  earth. 

And  this  they  do  all  through  the  ignorant  defaming  of  the 
envious,  inhuman,  lying,  crying  and  writing  of  their  learned 
priests  and  preachers,  who  from  time  to  time,  which  the  blas- 
phemous beast  of  Antichrist  has  raised  up  in  his  kingdom  and 
glory,  (Rev.  13,  19,)  these  have  always  been  the  true  cause  why 
innocent  blood  which  was  and  is  so  tyrannically  shed;  for  they 
are  those  who  instigate  the  magistracy  to  murder,  and  the 
plebians  to  defame  and  blaspheme,  and  I  fear  will  continue 
such  till  the  end. 

Nevertheless,  the  chosen  are  to  awaken,  repent  and  to  obey 
the  voice  of  the  Lord;  for  idolatrous,  blood-thirsty,  confused 
Babel  shall  sink  and  must  be  desolated;  and  fair  Jerusalem, 
the  city  of  peace,  shall  and  will  increase,  and  through  the 
power  of  almighty  God  must  be  built  up  in  glory.  Of  this  all 
rejoice  who  are  called  to  the  marriage  of  the  Lamb;  and  whose 
names  are  written  in  the  book  of  life  with  God.  Here  is 
understanding,  wisdom  faith  and  patience  of  the  saints;  let 
him  that  has  understanding  observe  that  the  word  of  the  Lord 
is  true.  Blessed  are  they  who  are  ready  to  meet  the  coming  of 
the  Lamb. 

Behold,  such  a  faithless,  impenitent,  tyrannical,  idolatrous, 
refractory,  disobedient,  blind,  sensual  people  they  are,  who 
imagine  that  they  are  the  believing  community  and  the  lawful 
bride  of  Christ.  Observe  that  all  under  the  heaven  is  spoiled, 
even  as  the  prophet  complains:  There  is  no  truth,  nor  mercy 
nor  knowledge  of  God  in  the  land;  by  swearing,  lying,  stealing, 
killing  and  committing  adultery,  they  break  out  and  blood 
toucheth  blood.  (Hos.  4:)  The  world,  says  John,  lieth  in  wick- 
edness. (1  John  5.)  If  we  come  to  the  lords  and  princes, 
there  we  find  such  pride,  arrogance,  pomp  and  wantonness,  such 

11* 


250  OP  THE  FAITH  OP  THE  WOMAN  OF  CANAAN. 

banqueting,  eating  and  drinking  to  excess,  with  some  sucli 
adultery  and  wlioredora,  and  such  unreasonable,  blind  idolatry, 
and  with  many  such  unmerciful,  raging  tyranny,  that  they  are 
in  truth  more  like  proud  Nebuchadnezzar,  drunken  Belshazzar, 
and  Nabal,  and  blood-thirsty,  vain  Antioch,  Nero  and  Maxi- 
minus,  than  Christian  believing  lords  and  kind  princes.  (Dan. 
4,  5;  1  Sam.  25;  Mace.  9.)  If  we  come  to  the  judges  and  rulers, 
to  each  in  his  station,  with  some  we  find  only  violence  and  in- 
justice, with  some  nothing  but  avarice,  astonishing  practices, 
they  honorably  steal  and  rob,  pass  sentence  for  gain  and  gifts; 
honor  the  high  and  despise  the  poor,  do  not  justice  to  the  poor 
widow,  orphan  and  the  oppressed  stranger,  execute  their  office 
and  power  with  rigor,  and  not  fraternally;  serve  princes  and  not 
God,  as  the  prophet  laments :  What  the  prince  desires,  the  judge 
does,  so  that  he  will  again  reward  him.  (Mic.  7. )  Alas  !  where 
shall  we  find  one  who  loves  God  with  all  the  heart,  hates 
avarice,  seeks  the  truth,  who  will  defend  the  god-fearing,  and  do 
him  justice? 

If  we  come  to  the  monks,  there  we  find  such  insatiable  ava- 
rice that  they  offer  and  sell  for  money,  prayers,  psalms,  matins, 
vespers,  masses,  sermons,  baptism,  Lord's  supper,  absolution, 
all  their  church  services,  together  with  their  own  souls  ;  take 
rents  and  gold  from  the  deceased,  will  go  six  or  ten  miles  from 
one  place  to  another  for  a  guilder;  where  they  find  the  most 
milk  and  wool,  there  they  prefer  to  be  among  the  sheep,  like  to 
be  flattered  and  honored  by  the  world,  they  suffer  themselves  to 
be  called  doctors,  lords,  masters,  abbots,  provost,  priors,  fathers, 
guardians,  presidents,  like  to  wear  long  garments,  seek  to  be 
greeted  at  the  market,  and  take  the  first  seats  at  the  table  and 
in  the  church,  as  Christ  said  of  the  Scribes  and  Pharisees. 
CMark  12;  Luke  10.)  Besides,  the  greater  part  of  them  live  in 
such  whoredom  and  sodomy  that  the  angels  are  astonished  and 
blush — they  defile  one  woman  after  another,  also  daughters  and 
virgins.  Defraud  and  corrupt  the  whole  world,  both  temporal 
and  spiritual ;  they  have  all  their  joy  in  a  temporal,  sensual 
life  ;  study  by  day  and  by  night  how  they  may  pamper  their 
proud,  idle,  lazy  flesh ;  eating  and  drinking,  saying,  as  it  is 
written  in  the  prophecy  of  Isa.  16  :  Come  let  us  go  for  wine 
and  drink  till  we  are  drunken  and  do  to-morrow  as  we  did  to- 
day, and  much  more  :  betray  the  pious  hearts,  who  with  all 
powers  seek  Christ  and  eternal  life  :  they  warn  them  of  the 
truth  and  their  followers,  and  cry  :  Hear  us,  we  are  your  teach- 
ers and  pastors,  we  will  pledge  our  souls  for  you  in  the  judg- 
ment of  God.  (2  Pet.  2.)  And  thus  encourage  the  malicious 
lest  they  be  converted  from  their  wickedness.  Promising 
liberty  to  others,  and  are  themselves  servants  of  corruption. 
(Jer.  33  ;  "2  Pet.  2.)     I  do  not  know  how  they  could  make  it 


OF  THE  FAITH  OF  THE  WOMAN  OF  CANAAN.  25 1 

worse  ;  nevertheless,  those  unblushing,  abominable  men,  who 
according  to  the  law  of  Moses,  would  suffer  death,  and  who 
(unless  they  repent,)  must  be  eternally  cursed  and  condemned, 
alas,  are  called  the  pastors  and  teachers  of  this  poor,  rude  peo- 
ple.    Behold,  thus  the  world  is  corrupted. 

If  we  come  to  the  preachers  who  boast  of  the  word,  we  will 
find  that  some  are  open  liars,  others  drunken  sots,  some  usurers, 
some  wanton  and  gay,  some  defamers  and  slanderers,  others 
persecutors  and  betrayers  of  the  innocent ;  you  will  see  how 
others  conduct  themselves  towards  their  women,  and  what  kind 
of  women  they  have — all  I  will  commit  to  the  Lord  and  to 
themselves.  Teaching  subtlely  that  there  are  two  sons  in 
Christ,  the  Son  of  God  and  the  son  of  Mary,  and  that  he  who  died 
for  our  sins  was  not  the  Son  of  God.  Teach  and  practice  a 
baptism  not  commanded  in  the  scriptures  ;  some  of  them  hold 
also  the  supper,  -where  they  consider  the  bread  the  bodi/,  and 
the  wine  the  blood  of  Christ;  they  have  and  hold  no  other  ban 
than  the  gallows  and  the  wheel ;  lead  an  easy  life,  maintain 
themselves  by  deceiving;  they  preach  as  much  as  the  sensual 
magistracy  desire  to  hear,  promise  the  poor  impenitent  peace, 
though  there  is  no  peace.     (Jer.  8,) 

If  we  come  to  the  common  people  we  find  such  an  unbecom- 
ing, sensual,  blind,  uncircumcised  horde,  that  we  are  astonished; 
they  know  neither  God  nor  his  word.  Their  piety  consists  in 
any  thing  but  the  doctrine  and  commands  of  Christ.  In  short, 
it  has  come  so  far  in  the  world  that  we  may  complain  and  say 
with  the  holy  prophet :  Run  ye  to  and  fro  through  Jerusalem, 
and  see  now,  and  know,  and  seek  in  the  broad  places  thereof 
if  ye  can  find  a  man,  if  there  bo  any  that  executeth  judgment, 
that  seeketh  the  truth.     (Jer.  5.  J 

Not  one  stone  has  remained  upon  another,  all  is  desolated 
which  Christ  and  his  faithful  messengers  taught  us  of  faith, 
love,  baptism,  supper,  reconciliation  of  sin,  repentance,  regen- 
eration, separation,  teachers,  deacons  and  of  the  true  divine 
service,  nevertheless,  they  are  called  the  community  of  Christ 
by  their  blind  priests  and  preachers,  even  as  if  Christ  and  the 
Father  were  to  oe  satisfied  with  names,  bread,  wine  and  water. 
O,  no  !  the  chosen  of  God  are  the  church  of  Christ — his  saints 
and  beloved  who  washed  their  clothes  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb, 
who  are  born  of  God,  influenced  by  the  spirit  of  Christ,  who 
are  in  Christ  and  he  in  them,  who  hear  and  believe  his  word, 
who  follow  him  in  their  weakness,  in  his  commandments,  walk 
in  his  footsteps  with  all  patience  and  humility,  hate  the  evil 
and  love  the  good,  earnestly  desiring  to  apprehend  Christ  as 
they  are  apprehended  of  him,  (Phil.  3,)  for  all  who  are  in 
Christ  are  new  creatures.  (3  Cor.  5.)  Flesh  of  his  flesh,  and 
bone  of  his  bone.     (Eph.  5.)    Members  of  his  body.     (1  Cor. 


353  OF  THE  FAITH  OF  THE  WOMAN  OF  CANAAN. 

12.)  As  you  and  the  whole  world  agree,  I  will,  therefore,  leave 
you  and  all  reasonable  readers  to  reflect  with  the  understanding 
and  scripture  upon  these  things,  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord. 

Since  then  all  things  are  desolatd  through  God's  righteous 
judgment ;  because  they  delighted  in  the  unrighteousness  and 
lies  of  the  false  prophets  and  ravening  wolves,  and  that  nothing 
salutary  has  remained  according  to  the  true  sense  and  ground 
of  Christ  and  his  holy  apostles — we  find  nothing  in  the  whole 
world,  among  all  the  great  sects,  but  vain  boastings,  mere 
names,  false  doctrine,  false  sacraments,  vain  unbelief  and  an 
impenitent,  sensual  life,  and  this  is  all  to  be  found  under  the 
name  and  semblance  of  Christ  and  his  holy  community;  hence, 
I  am  constrained,  by  true  Christian  love,  to  make  known  the 
power  and  ground  of  the  holy  scriptvires,  according  to  my 
small  gift,  given  me  of  God,  and  through  this  to  show  which  is 
the  true  CJiristian  faith,  having  the  promise,  the  faith  which 
changes  mao  from  evil  into  good,  to  a  divine  nature,  both  in- 
wardly and  outwardly,  and  makes  him,  as  heard,  holy,  righteous, 
obedient,  new,  pious,  peaceable  and  joyful.  In  order  that  pious 
hearts,  who  desire  to  walk  in  the  right  way,  but  who  are  hin- 
dered therefrom  by  their  blind  priests  and  preachers,  may  read 
or  hear  this  my  faithful  exposition  and  instruction,  that 
they  may  thereby  be  instructed  in  the  truth;  the  indifferent 
and  drowsy  may  be  awakened,  and  all  the  hypocrites  may  be 
ashamed  and  reform,  and  all  those  who  love  God  sincerely 
might  be  more  instructed  and  taught  in  the  faith  ;  if  they  do 
by  any  means  acknowledge  this  as  the  sure  foundation  of 
God,  as  it  is,  and  will  be,  eternally.  The  dear  Lord,  grant  that 
many  may  read  and  understand  it,  and  thus  receive  and  obey 
it,  that  they  may  sincerely  repent  and  be  saved.     Amen. 

And  since  I  do  it  out  of  sincere  heart,  and  labor  not  with 
any  other  view  (of  which  the  great  God,  the  searcher  of  men's 
hearts  and  reins,  is  my  witness,)  than  that  I  may  teach  the 
ignorant,  rude  world,  which  knows  not  Christ,  repentance,  lead 
them  to  Christ  and  his  doctrine,  sacraments  and  example,  and 
that  many  might  be  saved,  and  as  we  plainly  see  that  there  are 
many  profligates  who  have  reformed  their  sinful,  sensual  lives, 
and  commenced  an  upright,  penitent,  pious  life  in  the  fear  of 
the  Lord;  then  it  is  gross  ingratitude,  yea,  hardened,  ungodly 
tyranny,  to  hate  me  and  my  co-Avorkers  so  enviously  and  recom- 
pense us  so  shamefully,  who  manifest  such  great  fidelity  and 
love  towards  them  in  our  manifold  sufterings  and  trials. 

But  thus  they  treated,  in  the  beginning,  all  the  prophets  and 
servants  of  God,  who  preached  to  them  the  Lord's  word  and 
will  with  great  fidelity,  reproved  their  sins,  sought  even  till 
death  their  salvation  with  all  their  powers,  with  many  tears, 
watchings,  prayers,  labors,  cares  and  sorrows;  therefore,  it  is 


TO  THE  CHRISTIAN  READER.— CONCLUSION.  253 

nothing  strange,  and  no  wonder,  that  they  will  treat  us  so;  for 
Christ  says:  For  they  did  so  to  the  prophets  who  were  before 
you.     (Matt.  5;  Luke  6.) 

I  entreat  and  desire,  hereby,  through  the  mercy  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  all  my  readers  and  hearers  in  general,  of  whatever 
name,  office,  station  and  condition,  that  you  be  pleased  neither 
to  defame  nor  to  reject  my  labor,  as  long  as  you  have  not  read 
it  impartially,  heard  it  rightly  and  understood  it .  Do,  therefore, 
separate-Christ's  doctrine,  sacraments  and  life  from  the  doctrine, 
sacraments  and  life  of  the  priests  and  preachers;  separate  faith 
and  unbelief,  spirit  and  flesh,  righteousness  and  unrighteous- 
ness. Seek  after  the  truth,  strive  zealously  for  your  salvation, 
believe  that  God  is  true,  that  he  will  reward  the  good  and  punish 
the  evil,  that  his  word  is,  and  will  be,  truth  eternally.  Fear  his 
judgment,  love  his  bounties,  then  you  will  know  by  the  grace  of 
the  Lord  that  the  aforementioned  is  the  true  Christian  faith, 
which  avails  before  God,  and  has  the  promise  in  the  scriptures, 
as  we  have  so  abundantly  testified  and  shown  to  you  by  God's 
word  so  abundantly,  and  with  such  incontrovertible  passages, 
scriptures  and  examples,  without  deceit  and  fraud,  as  it  were 
before,  in  Christ  Jesus. 

The  almighty,  eternal,  merciful  God  and  Father,  through  his 
beloved  Son,  Jesus  Christ,  lead  you  all,  one  with  another,  into 
his  holy,  divine  knowledge  and  evangelical  truth,  and  make 
your  faith  fruitful  and  active,  that  you  may  at  all  times  with 
sincere,  new  hearts,  patiently  submit  to  his  cross  in  every  trial 
and  affliction,  unfeigned  in  love,  peaceable  and  joyful  in  spirit, 
as  the  unblamable,  pious  childreitof  God,  (1  Pet.  1,)  may  walk 
before  the  Lord  and  his  community  all  the  days  of  your  lives, 
and  ultimately  obtain  the  promise  of  grace,  the  end  of  your 
faith,  the  salvation  of  your  souls.     Amen. 


TO  THE  CHEISTIAN  READEE. 

CONCLUSION. 

Beloved  reader,  here  you  have  my  ground  and  doctrine 
OF  Faith,  with  its  properties,  poioer,  operation  and  fruits.  I 
therefore  entreat  you  all,  if  you  appreciate  Christ  and  your 
own  salvation,  suppress  your  perverted  minds,  be  not  enraged 
and  embittered,  should  you  find  any  thing  contrary  to  the 
usages  of  our  forefathers,  standing  usages,   or  philosophic 


254  TO  THE  CHKISTIAN  READER.— CONCLU  SIOK. 

writings  and  the  calling  of  tlie  learned;  but  first  prove  it  rightly, 
and  scrutinize  it  well  with  Christ  and  his  holy  apostles'  word, 
spirit,  life  and  example,  whether  it  is  not  the  true  content, 
meaning,  ground  and  sense  of  the  tcliole  scriptures;  if  so,  you 
will  have  to  give  up  the  unscriptural  usage,  and  the  deceptive 
calling  of  the  learned,  and  hold  only  to  the  word  of  the  Lord, 
if  you  would  be  saved.  Let,  therefore,  your  heart  be  impar- 
tial, and  your  judgment  sincere  and  after  truth;  for  almighty 
God,  before  whom  every  knee  has  to  bow  and  every  tongue 
confess,  will  not  and  cannot  yield  to  any  of  the  learned,  or  to 
long-standing  usages,  or  customs;  for  he  is  Lord,  and  we  are 
his  servants.  (Isa.  45;  Rom.  14;  Phil.  2.)  We  must  follow 
Him,  and  He  not  us.     Ah!  reader!  lay  it  to  heart! 

Likewise,  if  you  find  that  we  preach  our  doctrine  rightly, 
respect  no  man's  dignity,  fear  no  man's  tyranny,  nor  yield  to 
the  learned,  but  in  true,  sincere  love,  faithfully  teach,  admonish 
and  reprove  every  one  without  respect  of  person,  with  the  Loid's 
holy  spirit,  word,  example  and  ordinance,  in  all  things  not 
right;  then,  I  entreat  you  again,  that  you  would  be  pleased  not 
to  attribute  this  to  spiritual  pride,  but  to  well-meant  frankness 
and  Christian  simplicity.  I  desire  that  you  would  all  walk 
rightly,  so  that  you  may  be  saved,  on  account  of  which  I  have 
to  endure  not  a  little  tribulation.  I  refuse  not  to  become  as  a 
fool,  so  that  I  may  make  many  wise  in  Christ,  and  with  the 
Lord's  holy  spirit  and  powerful  Avord  lead  them  to  wisdom  and 
to  the  saints  :  and  1  well  know  that  Christ  and  his  apostles, 
and  the  prophets,  were  guilty  of  the  same  foolishness,  and 
were  of  the  same  mind  with  me  in  this  matter. 

I  reprove,  they  reprove  more  ;  I  threaten,  they  do  so  much 
more.  (Rev.  9.)  Were  they  on  account  carnal  and  proud?  Far 
from  it  ?  Yes,  my  reader,  had  not  the  dark  smoke  of  men- 
l^leasing-preachers,  the  accursed,  false  doctrine  of  the  dreadful, 
abominable  locusts  out  of  the  abyss,  risen  up  ;  but  had  sincere 
reproving,  the  true,  pure  doctrine,  the  scriptural  usage  of  the 
sacraments,  and  the  separating  of  the  impenitent,  without  re- 
spect to  person,  continued  in  the  world ;  never  would  the 
pleasing  sun  have  lost  his  splendor,  nor  would  the  church  have 
lapsed  into  such  a  dreadful  condition;  therefore,  I  esteem  it  with 
Paul,  to  be  unimportant,  to  be  judged  of  men  in  this  nlatter. 
(1  Cor.  4.)  For  I  know  that  I  mean  it  well,  do  right  and  re- 
prove only  with  the  truth,  so  that  they  may  be  converted. 

The  true  heavenly  light,  Jesus  Christ,  eternally  blessed,  en- 
lighten all  dark,  benighted  hearts  with  the  clear  and  lucid  ray 
of  his  Holy  Ghost  and  eternal  truth,  in  unfeigned,  pure  faith, 
to  view  the  brightness  of  Christ,  to  the  praise  and  honor  of  his 
great  name,  and  to  the  salvation  of  many  souls.     Amen. 


THE  NEW  Binxn.  255 


A  FU]SrDAME]SrTAL  DOCTRHsTE, 

FEOM    THE    WOED    OF   THE   LOED,    CON- 
CEENING  THE  NEW  BIETH. 

Exhorting  all  of  every  Christian  denomination  to  the  heavenly 
bii'th  and  the  new  creature,  without  which  no7ie,  who  lias  come  to 
the  years  of  maturity,  ca?i  be  a  true  Christian. 

In  Christ  Jesus  neither  circumcision  nor  uncircumcision 
availet\  hut  a  new  creature.  Gal.  6. 

For  other  foundation  can  no  man  lay  than  that  is  laid,  ichich 
is  Jesus  Christ.  1  Cor.  3.        ^ 

Hear  my  words,  all  people,  and  understand  tliem,  all  you  who 
imagine  that  you  are  Christians,  and  presumptuously  boast  of 
the  Lord's  grace,  merits,  flesh,  blood,  cross,  kingdom  and  death, 
notwithstanding  we  find  among  you  neither  Christian  faith, 
brotherly  love  nor  repentance,  nor  the  right  use  of  the  sacra- 
ments of  Christ,  nor  the  pure  doctrine,  nor  the  unblamable, 
godly  life,  which  is  out  of  God,  to  which  the  scriptures  admonish 
us;  neither  the  true  divine  service,  nor  an  evangelical  disposi- 
tion, nor  obedience;  but  throughout  nothing  else  than  abomina- 
ble darkness,  unbelief,  a  lewd  carnal  life,  false  doctrine,  false 
and  self-devised  sacraments,  a  devilish  heart  and  mind,  an  ac- 
cursed heathen  idolatry  under  the  name  of  Christ,  blind,  blood- 
thirsty tyranny,  envious  and  furious  revengefuluess  against  all 
the  children  of  God  ;  yea,  open  obstinacy,  disobedience  and 
rejection  of  the  words  of  Christ  and  of  his  Holy  Ghost,  as  may 
be  very  plainly  perceived  and  seen  through  the  world. 

In  order  that  you  comfort  yourselves  no  longer  with  lying 
and  vain  hopes,  contrary  to  the  scriptures,  to  your  eternal  dam- 
nation, and  not  glory  in  vain,  in  the  afore-mentioned  riches  and 
glory  of  the  children  of  God,  namely  of  Christ's  kingdom,  grace, 
merits,  flesh,  blood,  cross,  death  and  promises,  «&c.,  which  do 
not  yet  pertain  to  you,  because  you  are  yet  altogether  earthly, 
sensually  and  devilishly  minded,  reject  Christ,  and  do  not  keep 
to  his  spirit,  word  and  example,  without  which  no  one  can  be  a 
Christian;  I  have  undertaken  through  the  merciful  grace  of  the 
Lord,  as  much  as  is  in  my  power  to  inform  you  briefly,  by  the 
infallible,  powerful,  saving  word  of  the  gospel  of  Christ,  and 
out  of  the  unadulterated,  pure  doctrine  of  his  apostles,  in  this 
my  epistle,  who  they  are,  or  who  they  are  not,  that  are  en- 
dowed of  God,  and  to  whom  pertain  the  aforementioned  gifts, 
merits  and  promises  of  Christ. 

Tell  me,  most  beloved,  where  or  when  did  you  read  in  the 


356  THE  NEW  BIRTH 

scrii^tures,  (wliicli  is  the  true  witness  of  the  Holy  Ghost  and  the 
only  light  of  our  consciences, )  that  the  unbelieving,  disobedient, 
sensual  adulterer,  whoremonger,  drunkard,  avaricious,  idola- 
trous or  pompous  and  arrogant,  had  a  single  promise  of  the 
kingdom  of  Christ  and  community,  nay,  part  or  communion  in 
his  merits,  death  and  blood?  I  tell  you  the  truth,  nowhere  do 
we  read  it  in  the  scriptures,  nor  ever  will  we :  but  thus  it  isj 
written  in  Paul's  writing:  For  if  ye  live  after  the  flesh  ye  shal 
die.  Adulterers,  whoremongers,  buggerers,  effeminate,  unclean^ 
idolators,  drunkards,  proud,  avaricious,  betrayers  of  the  inno- 
cent, and  blood-shedders,  thieves,  murderers,  backbiters,  perjur- 
ers^ sorcers,  liars,  unmerciful,  the  disobedient  to  God  and  Christy 
(if  they  repent  not,)  will  not  inherit  the  kingdom  of  Ood,  yea, 
their  portion  will  be  in  the  fiery  lake  which  burns  icithfire  and 
brimstone,  which  is  the  second  death.  (Rom.  8;  1  Cor.  6;  Gal.  5; 
Eph.  5;  Gen.  38;  Rev.  21,  22. )      -^ 

Behold,  worthy  reader,  this  is  God's  irrevocable  sentence, 
upon  all  who  live  after  the  flesh,  whoever  they  be,  emperor  or 
king,  duke  or  earl,  knight  or  squire,  noble  or  ignoble,  priest  or 
monk,  learned  or  unlearned,  rich  or  poor,  male  or  female,  bond 
or  free.  All,  who  live  after  the  flesh  must  forever  remain  under 
God's  just  sentence  and  eternal  wrath,  else  the  whole  scriptures 
are  untrue  and  false.  (Acts  10;  1  Cor.  6;  Gal.  5;  Eph.  5; 
Janjes  2.) 

And,  therefore,  are  the  poor,  ignorant  people  comforted  in 
vain  with  masses,  matins,  vespers,  confession,  pilgrimage  and 
holy  water,  and  what  is  more,  with  Christ's  grace,  death  and 
blood.  The  word  stands  flrm :  For  if  ye  live  after  the  flesh  ye 
shall  die ;  for  to  be  carnally  minded  is  death.  (Rom.  8.)  There- 
fore, I  advise  and  entreat  you  all  in  general,  do  hear  Christ  Jesus, 
who  is  sent  to  us  as  a  witness  of  the  truth  from  heaven;  for  thus 
says  he:  Verily  I  say  U7ito  you  except  ye  be  converted  and  be- 
come like  little  children,  ye  cannot  enter  into  the  kingdom  of 
heaven.  (Matt,  18.)  At  another  place:  Verily ,  verily  I  say  unto 
you  except  ye  be  born  from  above  ye  cannot  enter  the  kingdom  of 
heaven.  Again:  Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  you,  except  a  man 
be  born  of  icater  and  the  spirit,  S^x.     (John  3. ) 

Faithful  reader,  take  heed:  these  words  are  not  invented  or 
instituted  of  man;  nor  are  they  the  resolution  of  any  council; 
but  they  are  the  infallible,  precious  wordfe  which  the  Son  of 
God,  Christ  Jesus,  brought  to  us  from  the  mouth  of  his  Father, 
and  declared  unto  pious  Nicodemus,  the  scribe,  with  a  double 
asseveration.  That  word  is  powerful  and  clear,  and  has  not 
only  reference  to  Nicodemus,  but  to  all  the  children  of  Adam, 
who  have  come  to  the  years  of  maturity.  But  alas,  it  is  so 
obscured  by  the  abominable,  offensive,  leavenous  mire  of  human 
commands,  statutes  and  glossaries,  that  scarcely  one  or  two  are 


THE  NEW  BIRTH.  257 

found  of  a  thousand,  who  have  the  true  sense  and  understand- 
ing of  the  heavenly  birth,  much  less  have  they  the  active  power, 
properties  and  fruits  of  it.  Yea,  they  have  brought  it  so  far 
through  their  philosophy,  wisdom  and  self-chosen  holiness,  that 
the  eternal  Wisdom  of  God,  Christ  Jesus,  eternally  blessed,  is 
banished  as  a  poor  senseless  fool  out  of  the  house  of  his  honor, 
(which  is  his  community,)  with  his  Holy  Ghost,  word,  baptism, 
supper,  divine  service,  separation  and  unblamable  example;  and 
the  man  of  sin,  the  son  of  perdition,  is  placed  in  his  stead,  (3 
Thess.  2,)  with  his  abominable  doctrine,  idolatrous  infant 
baptism  and  supper,  with  his  unclean  purifications  and  promises, 
with  his  churches,  cloisters,  priests,  monks,  masses,  matins, 
vespers,  holy  water,  images,  pilgrimages,  purgatory,  vigils, 
confession,  absolution,  &c. :  all  of  which,  in  short,  are  nothing 
but  the  doctrines  and  commands  of  men,  raised  up  contrary  to 
the  scriptures,  an  accursed  idolatry  and  abomination,  an  open 
denial  and  blasphemy  of  the  Lord's  death  and  offering,  a  des- 
pising of  the  New  Testament,  or  of  the  covenant  which  was 
se^pled  by  the  innocent  blood  of  the  Lamb,  a  destroying  and 
desolation  of  the  saving  ordinances  of  Christ,  of  doctrine^ 
baptism,  supper,  life  and  separation,  abundantly  testified  in  the 
scriptures,  which  ordinance  he  taught  in  this  world  with  incon- 
trovertible clearness  and  power  according  to  the  command  of 
his  Father,  and  left  it  to  his  children  in  his  word;  and  none; 
other  can  be  established  eternally  that  will  stand  before  him. 

In  short,  writers  and  the  learned  have  corrupted  every  thing 
so  much  through  their  councils,  decrees  and  statutes,  with  all 
the  tyranny  and  power  of  the  great,  that  there  is  scarcely  an 
article  entire  of  all  which  Christ  and  his  holy  apostles  taught. 
All  the  afore-mentioned  abominations,  together  with  the  un- 
godly, sensual  life  of  the  world,  I  call  on  as  witnesses;  neverthe- 
less they  would  be  called  the  holy  Christian  church.  And  he  that 
admonishes  them  in  sincere,  pure  love,  with  the  Lord' s  spirit 
and  word,  must  be  an  accursed  ana-baptist  and  heretic.  I  tell 
you  again:  They  want  to  be  the  Christian  church,  and  it  is  evi- 
dent from  all  their  actions,  that  they  are  not  Christians;  but 
sensual,  proud,  avaricious,  lascivious,  lewd,  drunken  and  idola- 
trous blind  heathens.  And  what  is  worse,  some  of  them  are 
unmerciful,  murdering,  ferocious,  revengeful  and  blood-thirsty 
fiends;  for  many  of  their  works  are  done  according  to  the  devil's 
will.  (.John  8.)  We  may  with  propriety  complain  of  this 
fnatter;  for  the  righteous  judgment  is  come  upon  them,  that 
they  are  unconvertible  and  that  little  of  a  salutary  kind  remains 
with  them. 

O!  how  miserably  is  the  fair  vineyard  desolated,  and  how 
lamentably  are  its  branches  withered;  its  walls  are  broken  down, 
the  destroying  foxes  haVe  destroyed  the  grapes,  the  clouds  are 


258  THE  NEW  BIRTH. 

dry  and  give  noraiu,  (Isa.  5;  Jer.  2,  12;)  there  is  neither  pruner 
nor  knife  at  hand;  and  if  there  is  one  he  must  be  devoured  out 
of  the  dragon,  or  slain  by  the  apocalyptical  woman,  drunk  with 
blood.  O  merciful,  gracious  Father,  how  long  will  this  great 
misery  endure?  Our  rulers  are  like  voracious  lions  and  bears. 
Our  fathers  are  our  betrayers.  Our  leaders  our  deceivers.  And 
those  who  feign  to  be  our  pastors  are  thieves  and  murderers  of 
our  souls.  (Luke  23;  2  Thess.  2.)  Well  may  we  sigh  and  com- 
plainfrom  the  inmost  of  our  hearts :  Our  house  is  left  unto  us  deso- 
late. For  that  which  was  before  Christ's  church  and  kingdom, 
is  now,  alas!  Antichrist's  church  and  house,  and  for  no  other 
reason  than  because  they  ungratefully  rejected  the  word  of 
grace,  and  will  not  have  the  ruling  Lord  Jesus  Christ  to  rule 
over  them,  with  the  righteous  sceptre  of  his  holy  word  and 
spirit,  (Luke  19:)  nevertheless,  this  poor  blind  people  hope  to 
obtain  God's  grace  and  promises  through  their  infant  baptism, 
masses,  confession  and  the  like  superstitious  ceremonies  and 
idolatries,  which  they  call  the  true  divine  service,  and  use  it  as 
a  remedy  for  their  sins.  Ah!  no,  most  beloved,  no;  for  the 
hope  of  the  ungodly  is  like  thistle-down,  says  Solomon,  that  is 
blown  away  with  the  wind.  I  have  said  it  once,  and,  repeat  it, 
and  that  from  the  mouth  of  the  Lord,  who  can  neither  lie  nor 
deceive:  Except  ye  be  converted  and  become  as  little  children,  ye 
shall  not  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  And  if  ye  are  not 
horn  from  above.,  ye  shall  not  see  the  kingdom  of  God.  (Matt. 
18;  Johns.) 

My  beloved  reader,  do  take  heed  to  the  word  of  the  Lord,  and 
.  do  once  learn  to  know  the  true  God.  I  warn  you  faithfully,  take 
heed,  he  will  not  save  you,  nor  pardon  your  sins,  nor  show  you 
his  grace,  except  according  to  his  word,  namely:  If  you  repent^ 
if  you  believe,  if  you  are  born  of  him,  if  you  do  what  he  has 
commanded,  and  walk  even  as  he  walked.  (Matt.  4;  Mark  1,  16; 
Luke  13;  2  John  3,  15;  1  John  2.)  For  if  he  could  save  unjus- 
tified, sensual  man,  without  regeneration,  faith  and  repentance, 
he  did  not  teach  us  the  truth;  but  he  is  the  truth,  and  there  is 
no  lie  in  him.  Therefore,  I  tell  you  again,  that  you  cannot  be 
reconciled  with  all  your  masses,  matins,  vespers,  ceremonies, 
sacraments,  councils,  statutes  and  commands  under  the  whole 
heavens,  together  with  all  the  popes  and  their  adherents  from 
the  beginning;  for  I  warn  you,  they  are  abominations  and  not 
propitiations.  Christ  says:  In  vain  do  they  honor  me  because 
they  teach  commandments  of  men.  But  if  you,  by  any  means, 
be  saved,  your  sensual,  ungodly  life,  must  be  reformed;  for  the' 
scriptures  teach  nothing  but  true  repentance  and  reformation 
and  present  to  us  admonitions,  threatenings,  reprovings,  mira- 
cles, examples,  ceremonies  and  sacraments;  and  if  you  do  not 
repeijt,  there  is  nothing  in  heaven  or  on  earth  that  can  save  you; 


THE  NEW  BIRTH.  259 

for  without  true  repentauce  we  are  comforted  in  vaiu.  The 
prophet  says:  O  my  people,  they  which  lead  thee  cause  thee  to 
err,  and  destroy  the  way  of  thy  paths.  (Isa.  3.)  We  must  be 
born  from  above,  (John  3, )  must  be  changed  and  renewed  in 
our  hearts,  transplanted  from  Adam's  unrighteous  and  evil 
nature,  into  the  true  and  good  nature  of  Clirist;  or  we  can 
eternally  not  be  saved  by  any  means,  whether  human  or  divine. 
(Matt.  18.)  For  wherever  true  repentance  and  a  new  creature 
are  not  (I  speak  of  adults,  j  man  must  be  eternally  lost — this  is 
incontrovertibly  clear.  This  every  one  may  confidently  rely 
upon  who  does  not  wish  to  deceive  his  soul. 

That  regeneration  of  which  we  write,  from  which  comes  the 
penitent  pious  life  having  the  promise,  comes  alone  from  the 
word  of  the  Lord,  if  it  be  rightly  taught,  and  if  rightly  under- 
stood and  received  in  the  heart  by  faith  through  the  Holy  Ghost. 
(Rom.  10;  1  Cor.  4;  1  Pet.  1;  James  1.)  The  first  birth  of 
man  is  out  of  the  first  earthly  Adam,  and  therefore  its  nature 
is  earthly  and  Adamic,  that  is,  the  carnal  mind,  unbelief,  diso- 
bedience, in  divine  things,  blindness,  deafness  and  folly,  whose 
end,  if  not  renewed  by  the  word,  will  be  damnation  and  eternal 
death.  Would  you,  therefore,  have  your  inbred,  evil  nature 
reformed,  and  be  free  from  eternal  death  and  damnation,  so 
that  you  may  obtain  with  all  true  Christians  what  is  promised 
them  you  must  be  born  again.  For  the  regenerated  are  in 
grace,  and  have  the  promise,  as  you  have  heard.  They  do, 
therefore,  lead  a  penitent  and  new  life,  for  they  are  renewed  in 
Christ,  and  have  received  a  new  heart  and  spirit.  Before,  they 
were  earthly-minded,  but  now  heavenly;  before,  carnally,  now 
spiritually;  before  unrighteous,  now  righteous;  before  evil,  now' 
good.  And  live  no  longer  after  the  old  depraved  nature  of  the 
first  earthly  Adam  but  after  the  new,  sincere  nature  of  the  new 
and  heavenly  Adam,  Christ  Jesus;  as  Paul  says:  I  live  no  more, 
but  Christ  lives  in  me.  (Gal.  2.)  Their  poor  weak  life  they 
renew  daily  more  and  more,  and  that  after  the  image  of  him 
who  created  them,  (Col.  3,)  their  minds  are  after  the  mind  of 
Christ,  (Phil.  2,)  and  they  gladly  walk  as  he  walked,  (1  John 
2,)  they  crucify  and  mortify  their  flesh  with  its  evil  lusts,  (Gal. 
5,)  they  bury  their  sin  with  baptism  in  the  Lord's  death,  and 
rise  with  him  to  a  new  life,  (Rom.  6,)  they  circumcise  their 
hearts  with  the  word  of  the  Lord,  (Col.  2,)  and  are  baptized 
with  the  Holy  Ghost  in  the  spotless,  holy  body  of  Christ,  as 
obedient  members  and  fellow-heirs  of  his  community,  according 
to  the  true  ordinance  and  according  to  the  word  of  the  Lord. 
They  put  on  Christ  and  manifest  the  power  of  his  spirit  in  all 
their  fruits,  (1  Cor.  12;  Gal.  2,  3,)  they  fear  God  with  all  the 
heart,  and  seek  in  all  their  thoughts,  words  and  works,  nothing 
but  the  praise  of  God  and  the  salvation  of  their  brethren.  They 


260  THE  NEW  BIRTH. 

know  not  hatred  and  vengence,  for  they  love  those  who  hate 
them,  they  do  good  to  those  who  despitefully  use  them,  and 
pray  for  those  who  persecute  them:  (Matt.  5;  Rom.  12,)  they 
hate  and  resist  avarice,  pride,  lewdness,  drunkenness,  hatred, 
envy,  backbiting,  lying,  defrauding,  quarreling,  blood-shedding, 
idolatry;  in  short,  all  unclean  and  carnal  works,  and  deny  the 
world  with  its  lusts,  (Gal.  6;)  they  meditate  upon  the  law  of 
the  Lord  by  day  and  by  night;  (Ps.  1,)  they  rejoice  at  the  good 
and  are  grieved  at  the  evil,  (Rom.  10;)  evil  do  not  repay  they 
with  evil,  but  with  good;  they  seek  not  self^  nor  their  own,  but 
what  is  good  for  their  neighbors,  both  as  to  body  and  soul;  they 
feed  the  hungry,  and  give  drink  to  the  thirsty,  (Matt.  25;)  they 
entertain  the  needy,  release  prisoners,  visit  the  sick,  comfort 
the  faint-hearted,  admonish  the  erring,  and  are  ready  after  their 
master's  example  to  give  their  lives  for  their  brethren.  Again, 
their  thoughts  are  pure  and  chaste,  their  words  are  true  and 
seasoned -with  salt;  with  them  is  yea  what  is  yea^  and  nay 
what  is  way,  and  their  works  are  done  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord; 
their  hearts  are  heavenly  and  new;  their  minds  peaceful  and 
joyful;  they  seek  righteousness  with  all  their  powers.  In  short, 
they  are  so  assured  in  their  faith  through  God's  spirit  and  word, 
CRom.  12,  15;  James  1,  5;  2  John  3;  Col.  4;  Matt.  5,)  that  they 
will  valiantly  overcome,  by  virtue  of  their  faith,  "all  blood- 
thirsty, cruel  tyrants,  with  all  their  tortures,  punishment, 
exiling,  plunder,  stocks  and  stakes,  executioners,  tormentors 
and  counsel;  and  out  of  a  pure  zeal,  with  an  innocent  pure 
heart,  and  with  a  simple  yea  and  nay  are  willing  to  die.  Christ's 
glory,  the  sweetness  of  the  word,  and  the  salvation  of  souls  are 
dearer  to  them  than  any  thing  under  heaven. 

Behold,  worthy  reader:  *'  All  those  who  are  born  of  God  with 
Christ  thus  confonn  their  weak  life  after  the  gospel,  are  thus 
converted  and  follow  the  example  of  Christ,  hear  and  believe 
his  holy  word,  follow  his  commands,  which  he  left  and  com- 
manded us  in  the  holy  scriptures,  form  the  holy  Christian 
church  which  has  the  promise;  the  true  children  of  God, 
brothers  and  sisters  of  Christ;  for  they  are  born  with  him  of 
one  Father,  (Johnl;Heb.  2,)  the  new  Eve,  the  pure,  chaste 
bride.  (Heb.  12;  2  Cor.  6.)  Flesh  of  Christ's  flesh,  and  bone 
of  his  bone,  (Eph.  5,)  the  spiritual  house  of  Israel,  the  spirit- 
ual city,  Jerusalem,  temple  and  Mount  Zion,  (Heb.  9)  the  spir- 
itual ark  of  the  Lord,  in  which  are  hidden  the  true  bread  of 
heaven,  Christ  Jesus;  and  his  blessed  word,  the  green  blossom- 
ing rod  of  faith,  and  spiritual  tables  of  stone,  with  the  com- 
mands of  the  Lord  written  thereon;  they  are  the  spiritual  seed 
of  Abraham,  children  of  the  promise,  confederate  of  God's 
covenant,  partakers  of  the  heavenly  blessings." 

These  regenerated  have  a  spiritual  king  over  them,  who  rule^ 


THE  NEW  BIRTH.  261 

liiem  iDy  the  unbroken  sceptre  of  his  mouth,  namely,  with  his 
Holy  Spirit  and  word;  he  clothes  them  with  the  garment  of 
righteousness,  of  pure  white  silk;  he  refreshes  them  with  the 
living  water  of  his  Holy  Spirit,  and  feeds  them  with  the  bread 
of  life.  His  name  is  Christ  Jesus.  They  are  the  children  of 
peace,  who  have  beaten  their  swords  into  plough  shares,  and 
their  spears  into  pruning  hooks,  and  know  of  no  war;  and  give 
to  Csesar  the  things  that  are  Caesar's,  and  to  God  the  things 
that  are  God's.  (Isa.  2;  Mich.  4;  Matt.  22.)  Their  sword  is 
the  sword  of  the  spirit,  which  they  hold  in  a  good  conscience 
through  the  Holy  Ghost.  Their  marriage  is  that  of  one  man 
and  one  woman,  according  to  God's  ordinance.  Their  king- 
dom is  the  kingdom  of  grace,  here  in  hope,  and  after  this  is 
eternal  life.  (Eph.  6;  Heb.  4;  Kev.  2,  19;  2  Esd.  13;  Gen.  1; 
Matt.  19,  25;  1  Cor.  7;  1  Tim.  3;  Tit.  1;  Luke  12,  13;  Rom.  8.) 

Their  citizenship  is  in  heaven;  and  they  use  the  creatures 
below,  such  as  eating,  drinking,  clothing  and  dwelling  with 
thanksgiving,  and  that  to  the  necessary  wants  of  their  own  lives, 
and  to  the  service  of  their  neighbor,  according  to  the  word  of 
the  Lord.  (Isa.  58;  Tob.  4,  14;  Matt.  25;  Luke  6;  Rom.  12.) 
Their  doctrine  is  the  unadulterated  word  of  God,  testified 
through  Moses  and  the  prophets,  through  Christ  and  the  apos- 
tles, upon  which  they  built  their  faith,  and  saved  their  souls, 
(James  1)  and  every  thing  that  is  contrary  thereto,  they  con- 
sider accursed.  (Gal.  1.)  They  use  and  administer  their  bap- 
tism on  believing,  according  to  the  command  of  the  Lord,  and 
according  to  the  doctrines  and  usages  of  the  apostles.  (Matt. 
28;  Mark  16;  Acts  2,  8,  10,  16,  19,  &c.) 

Their  Lord's  supper  they  celebrate  in  remembrance  of  the 
Lord's  favors  and  his  death,  (Matt.  26;  Mark  14;  Luke  22;  I 
Cor.  11,)  and  in  r-eminding  one  another  of  true  and  brotherly 
love.     (1  Cor.  10.) 

The  ban  and  separation  extend  to  all  the  proud  scorners, 
great  and  small,  rich  and  poor,  without  any  respect  to  person, 
who  heard  and  obeyed  the  word  for  a  season,  but  fell  off  again 
and  in  the  house  of  the  Lord,  teach  or  live  offensively,  till 
they  again  sincerely  repent.  (Rom.  16:  Tit.  3;  1  Cor.  5;  2 
Thes.  2.) 

They  daily  sigh  and  lament  over  their  poor  displeasing,  evil 
flesh,  over  the  manifold  errors  and  faults  of  their  weak  lives. 
They  war  inwardly  and  outwardly  without  ceasing.  They  sigh 
and  call  to  the  Most  High;  fight  and  straggle  against  the  devil, 
world  and  flesh  during  their  lives,  press  on  towards  the  prize  of 
the  high  calling  that  they  may  obtain  it.  (Phil.  3.)  And  they 
prove  by  their  actions  that  they  believe  the  word  of  the  Loi-d, 
that  they  know  and  have  Christ  in  power,  that  they  are  born  of 
God  and  have  God  as  their  Father.  (John  1;  Eph.  2.) 


262  TfiE  NEW  BIRTH. 

Behold,  worthy  reader,  as  I  said  before,  so  say  I  again.  These 
are  the  Christians  who  have  the  promise  and  are  assured  by  the 
spirit  of  God,  to  whom  are  given  and  bestowed  Christ  Jesus, 
with  all  his  merits,  righteousness,  intercessions,  word,  cross, 
suffering,  flesh,  blood,  death,  resurrection,  kingdom,  and  all  his 
possessions,  and  this  all  without  merit,  out  of  pure  grace  from 
God.  But  what  kind  of  doctrine,  faith,  life,  regeneration, 
baptism,  supper,  ban  and  divine  service,  sectarian  churches 
have,  of  whatever  name,  and  what  kind  of  reward  is  promised 
them  in  the  scriptures,  I  will  let  the  reasonable  meditate  on, 
with  the  aid  of  the  Lord's  spirit  and  word. 

Here  I  would  call  on  all  the  high  and  mighty  lords,  princes 
and  rulers,  all  under  the  canopy  of  heaven,  also  on  all  the  popes, 
cardinals  and  bishops,  together  with  all  the  wise  and  learned, 
who  from  the  beginning  perverted  and  darkened  the  scriptures, 
to  show  us  one  single  word  in  the  whole  Bible,  I  say  in  the 
Bible,  (for  we  do  not  regard  human  fables  and  lies, )  that  an  un- 
believing, refractory,  sensual  man,  without  true  repentance  and 
regeneration,  was  ever  or  ever  will  be  saved,  simply  because  he 
boasts  of  faith  and  the  death  of  Christ,  or  heard  the  masses  and 
service  of  the  priests,  as  the  whole  world  does;  if  so,  they  shall 
have  gained  the  point.  But  this  never  was  and  never  will  be; 
for  if  such  vile  men  could  be  saved  without  repentance  and  re- 
generation, by  hearing  masses,  and  confessing,  as  they,  poor 
children,  without  the  warrant  of  the  scripture,  hope;  then  we 
might  of  a  truth  say,  that  the  aforementioned  means  were 
stronger,  (though  they  are  idolatrous^  than  the  word  of  the 
Lord.  For  the  word  knows  no  mass,  but  says:  That  the  im- 
penitent shall  die  in  their  sins.  (Luke  13.)  Then  would  also 
Moses  and  the  prophets,  Christ  and  his  apostles,  have  been 
false  witnesses,  and  have  miserably  deceived  us,  because  they 
directed  us  upon  such  a  narrow  path. 

Ah,  no!  friends,  no!  Beware,  I  tell  you,  God  will  not  deceive 
you.  For  he  says  through*  the  prophet  (Malachi  3 :)  For  I  am 
the  Lord,  I  change  not.  All  that  he  has  testified  us  in  his  holy 
word  through  his  prophets,  through  Christ  and  his  apostles,  is 
his  eternal,  immutable  will;  on  this  we  may  all  rely  if  we  wish 
not  to  deceive  our  souls.  In  short,  all  is  in  vain  to  counsel  and 
advise.  True  repentance  and  the  bu-th  from  above,  must  take 
place ;  we  must  believe  Christ  and  his  word,  and  we  must  abide 
by  his  word,  spirit,  ordinance  and  example,  or  eternal  misery 
must  be  our  portion — this  is  incontrovertible. 

Therefore,  I  admonish  and  entreat  you,  as  those  whom  my 
soul  loves,  repent !  repent ! !  I  say,  and  delay  not;  for  the  axe 
is  already  laid  to  the  root  of  the  trees,  and  that  which  does  not 
bring  forth  fruit,  is  cut  off  and  cast  into  the  fire.  (Matt.  3. ) 
Watch  over  your  poor  souls,  being  bought  with  a  precious  price, 


THE  NEW  BIRTH.  263 

and  be  no  longer  comforted  with  open  lies,  nor  be  fed  upon  chaff; 
for  behold,  I  tell  you  there  is  nothing  under  heaven  that  can 
or  will  eternally  stand  before  God,  but  the  new  creature,  (Luke 
15;  Gal.  6,)  and  faith  wMch  works  by  love,  (Gal.  5,)  and  the 
keeping  of  the  commandments.     (1  Cor.  7.) 

My  faithful  reader,  do  not  only  believe  me,  but  believe  the 
word,  to  which,  by  the  grace  of  God,  I  directed  you  with  my 
small  talents;  for  as  true  as  the  Lord  liveth:  All  who  teach 
otherwise  than  we  have  shown  from  the  word  of  the  Lord,  who- 
ever they  be,  are  prophets  who  deceive  you,  who  place  pillows 
under  your  arms  and  cushions  under  your  heads;  who  white- 
wash the  wall  with  delusions,  and  speak  peace  to  the  wicked, 
but  not  out  of  the  mouth  of  the  Lord.  (Jer.  14,  23;  Ezek.  13.) 
For  as  certain  as  it  is  that  the  penitent  and  regenerated  are  the 
true  Christians,  who  have  obtained  God's  truth,  the  true  light, 
pardon  of  their  sins,  and  the  sure  promise  of  eternal  life,  so 
certain  also  is  it,  that  the  sensual  and  impenitent  are  false 
Christians,  and  have  serpentine  lies,  darkness,  propensity  for 
sin  and  the  certain  promise  of  eternal  death.  This  will  eter- 
nally be  fpund  to  be  true;  of  this  his  word  is  to  me  a  true 
witness;  and  of  this  I  am  confidently  assured  through  his  grace. 

Now,  perhaps,  some  may  answer  us:  Our  belief  is,  that  Christ 
is  the  Son  of  God,  that  his  word  is  truth,  and  that  he  purchased 
us  with  his  death  and  blood,  and  that  we  were  regenerated  in 
baptism  and  received  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  therefore,  we  are  the 
true  church  and  community  of  Christ. 

We  reply:  If  your  faith  is  as  you  say,  why  do  you  not  the 
things  which  he  has  commanded  you  in  his  word  ?  His  command 
is:  Reform — Be  ye  converted — Keep  the  commandments. 
(Matt.  18,  19;  Mark  1.)  And  it  is  evident  that  you  are  be- 
coming worse  daily;  that  unrighteousness  is  your  father,  and 
loickedness  your  mother,  and  the  expressed  command  of  the 
Lord  is  foolishness  and  derision  to  you.  Since  you  will  not  do 
as  he  commands,  or  would  have  you  do,  but  you  act  as  you 
choose,  it  proves  sufficiently  that  you  do  not  believe  that  Jesus 
Christ  is  the  Son  of  God,  though  you  say  so.  Nor  do  you 
believe  that  his  word  is  truth;  for  faith  and  its  fruits  are  insepa- 
rable; this  you  have  all  to  confess  by  the  grace  of  God.  O,  you 
poor,  blind  men!  be  silent  and  blush — let  Christ  Jesus  with  his 
spirit  and  word  be  your  teacher  and  example — your  way  and 
your  mirror.  Do  you  think  it  will  do  to  only  acknowledge 
Christ  according  to  the  flesh?  Or  if  you  but  say  that  you  believe 
on  him  and  are  baptized — that  you  are  Christians,  and  that  you 
are  purchased  with  Christ's  death  and  blood?  Ah,  nol  I  told 
you  often,  and  tell  you  again,  you  must  be  born  of  God — in  your 
life  you  must  be  so  converted  and  changed  that  you  become 
new  creatures  in  Christ,  that  Christ  be  in  you,  and  you  in  Christ, 


264  THE  NEW  BIRTfl. 

or  you  can  never  be  Cliristians:  For  he  that  is  in  Christ  is  a 
new  creature*    (2  Cor.  5.) 

If  you  believe  rightly  in  Christ,  as  you  boast,  then  manifest 
it  by  your  lives  that  you  believe :  For  the  righteous  live  by  faith, 
as  the  scriptures  say.  (Hab.  2;  Rom.  1;  Gal.  3;  Heb.  10.)  And 
that  this  is  all  true  has  been  fully  testified  and  shown  by  the 
works  of  Abel,  Enoch  and  Noah,  Abraham,  Isaac,  Jacob  and 
Joseph,  Moses,  Joshua,  Caleb,  Samuel,  David,  Matthias,  Zac- 
cheus,  Magdalene  and  Paul,  and  all  the  pious  children  of  God, 
who  were  from  the  beginning  and  to  this  day.  But  as  you 
conduct  yourselves  in  your  faith,  and  as  you  are  minded,  may 
be  more  than  plainly  seen  by  your  prevalent  lies,  fraud,  avarice, 
hoarding  up,  cursing,  swearing,  pride  and  wantonness;  for  your 
hearts  burn  in  unrighteousness;  you  fear  neither  God  nor  his 
word;  nevertheless,  you  boast  that  you  believe  on  Christ,  have 
his  word,  and  that  you  are  Christians,  &c.  I  repeat  it:  Reform, 
or  hold  your  peace  and  be  ashamed. 

Further,  you  imagine  that  you  were  regenerated  in  your  bap- 
tism and  received  the  Holy  Ghost.  Faithful  reader,  remember, 
if  it  even  had  been  so,  as  you  say,  still  you  have  to  acknowledge 
that  your  regeneration  then  took  place  without  hearing  the 
word,  without  the  faith  and  knowledge  of  Christ,  and  without 
knowledge  and  understanding;  and  besides,  that  the  aforemen- 
tioned birth  and  the  received  spirit  are  altogether  without 
operation,  wisdom,  power  or  fruit;  yea,  are  vain  and  dead  in 
you;  for  that  you  live  neither  after  the  spirit  nor  in  the  power 
of  the  new  birth,  is  evident  from  your  gross  avarice,  drunken- 
ness, pride,  wantonness,  and  the  idolatrous,  sensual  lives  of 
which  those  baptized  among  you  are  my  witnesses.  Yea,  my 
friends,  if  you  were  bom  of  God  in  your  baptism,  and  had  re- 
ceived the  Holy  Ghost,  as  your  comforter  spersuadeand  assure 
you,  then  it  could  not  be  otherwise  than  that  the  new  spiritual 
life  and  its  fruits  would  also  be  manifest,  as  it  was  the  case  with 
the  saints  from  the  beginning,  and  is  yet;  for  it  is  more  than 
clear,  that  the  regenerated  do  not  presumptuously  live  in  sin, 
but  through  faith,  in  true,  repentance,  by  baptism,  are  buried 
into  the  death  of  Christ,  and  also  arise  with  him  to  a  new  life, 
(Rom.  6,)  and  those  who  have  the  spirit  of  the  Lord,  bring 
forth  also  the  fruits  of  the  spirit.  (Gal.  5. )  But  that  you  do  not 
bury  your  sins,  but  serve  them  in  full  power,  and  also  bring  not 
forth  the  fruits  of  the  spirit,  is  daily  testified  by  your  vain,  sen- 
sual, abominable  life.  My  friends,  out  of  true  love  I  warn  you 
to  awaken  and  observe  what  the  word  of  the  Lord  teaches;  for 
the  spirit  of  the  Lord  will  not  dwell  in  a  wicked  soul,  nor  in  a 
body  subjected  to  sin.     (Wis.  1.) 

In  the  second  place,  I  tell  you:  If  you  are  rightly  baptized 
according  to  the  word  of  the  Lord,  as  you  imagine,  then  you 


THE  KEW  BIHTH.  265 

have  put  on  Christ,  (Gal.  3,)  and  live  no  longer  after  Adam's 
inbred  evil  nature,  but  after  Christ's  regenerated  good  nature, 
&c.  But  since  this  is  not  the  case  with  you,  but  you  are  yet 
altogether  sensual  and  earthly,  as  is  evident  from  all  your  fruits, 
hence  it  is  clear  that  you  are  not  regenerated,  bajitized  Chris- 
tians, but  impenitent,  sensual  pagans,  for  your  works  are  chiefly 
done  after  a  heathen  will,  as  we  may  see  and  hear.  Once  more, 
I  say;  awaken  and  hear  what  the  word  of  the  Lord  says:  For 
if  you  have  'put  on  Christy  that  is^  if  Christ  he  in  you^  the  body 
is  dead  because  of  sin;  but  the  spirit  is  life  because  of  right- 
eousness. (Rom.  8.) 

In  the  third  place,  I  tell  you,  if  you  are  rightly  baptized  ac- 
cording to  the  word  of  the  Lord,  then  you  are  members  and 
joint  heirs  of  the  body  of  Christ,  (1  Cor.  12,)  and  have  the  evi- 
dence of  a  good  conscience  before  God.  (1  Pet.  3.)  Inasmuch 
as  a  body  is  never  divided  in  itself,  nor  hates  its  members,  or 
does  them  harm,  but  one  member  serves  and  assists  another; 
and  since  it  is  evident,  and  is  indeed  foiyid  to  be  so  with  you, 
that  you  unmercifully  persecute,  murder  and  exterminate  the 
chosen  members  of  Christ,  who  are  of  your  own  flesh  and  blood, 
whom  he  purchased  by  his  death,  regenerated  by  his  word,  en- 
dowed with  his  spirit,  and  has  chosen  as  his  own  people;  and  be- 
sides they  seek  no  help  nor  comfort  of  human  institutions,  but 
solely  adhere  with  a  pure  faith  to  the  Lord's  grace,  righteous- 
ness, prayer,  merits,  death  and  blood;  and  you  depend  upon 
and  comfort  yourselves  with  the  priest's  and  monk's  masses, 
confession,  absolution,  holy  water,  bread,  wine,  oil  and  vigils; 
so  the  works  themselves  testify  that  you  are  not  serviceable 
members  of  the  aforementioned  body,  but  are  much  more  de- 
stroyers and  defilers.  That  you  have  not  a  firm,  joyful,  peace- 
able and  good  conscience,  but  a  wavering,  damning,  restless 
and  evil  conscience  before  God ;  for  all  unrighteousness  is  es- 
teemed as  abomination  by  the  consciences  of  the  pious;  but  we 
see  that  it  is  to  your  conscience  great  consolation,  because  you 
neither  have  nor  know  Christ.  My  friends,  beware,  you  are 
miserably  deceived  by  your  comforters.  The  spirit  of  prophesy 
says:  And  unto  the  angel  of  the  church  in  Smyrna  write.  These 
things  say  the  first  and  the  last,  which  was  dead  and  is  alive — I 
know  the  blasphemy  of  them  which  say  they  are  Jews,  and  are 
not,  but  are  of  the  synagogue  of  satan.  (Rev.  2.)  Well  may  it 
be  said  at  the  present  time  to  all  the  great  and  specious  sects:  I 
know  the  great  defamations,  and  see  the  wicked  lives  of  those 
who  say  they  are  regenerated,  baptized  Christians,  and  are  not, 
but  are  satan' s  synagogue;  for  I  know  not  how  they  could  do 
worse. 

But  if  we  come  to  the  chief  and  mighty  rulers,  there  we  find 
pride  and  wantonness,  dancing,  whoring,  chasing,  stabbing, 

12 


266  THE  NEW  BIRTS. 

breaking,  fighting,  destroying  of  cities  and  countries — living 
after  the  lusts  of  their  hearts. 

If  we  come  to  the  subordinate  officers,  there  we  find  insatia- 
ble avarice,  treachery  and  roguery,  cunning  devices  to  defraud 
the  helpless  God-fearing,  (the  good  and  pious  I  do  not  mean,) 
they  take  gifts  and  presents;  the  right  of  the  righteous  they 
pervert  and  willingly  accept  of  gifts  to  shed  innocent  blood; 
they  persecute  the  truth ;  they  reject  what  is  right  and  good; 
the  fear  of  God  is  not  before  their  eyes. 

If  we  come  to  the  divines  whether  preachers,  priests  or  monks, 
there  we  find  such  an  idle,  lazy,  wanton  and  sensual  life,  such  a 
corrupted,  anti-Christian  doctrine  and  understanding  of  the 
scriptures;  such  hatred,  envy,  defaming,  betraying,  lying  and 
uproar  against  all  the  pious,  that  I  would  be  ashamed  to  men- 
tion it  before  the  virtuous.  The  common  people  run,  as  a 
frantic  heifer,  as  the  prophet  laments.  (Hos.  4.)  They  lie  and 
cheat,  curse  and  swear  by  the  Lord's  wounds  and  sacraments, 
by  his  judgment,  hand,  power,  might,  suffering,  death  and  blood. 
I  am  ashamed  and  astonished  that  I  have  to  think  of  these  scan- 
dalous abominations.  They  gamble,  drink  and  wrestle,  wrangle 
and  quarrel.  In  short,  their  prevalent,  horrible,  cruel  and 
wicked  lives  are  not  to  be  related,  and  their  great  folly  cannot 
be  prevented;  yet  it  must  be  said  that  the  mentioned  lords, 
judges,  learned  and  common  people,  are  the  truly  regenerated 
church  and  baptized  community  of  Christ.  May  the  merciful 
Lord  graciously  preserve  all  his  chosen  children  from  such  a  re- 
generation, baptism  and  community.     Amen. 

I  testify  to  you  the  truth  in  Christ  Jesus,, take  heed,  if  you 
please:  Jesus  Christ  did  not  endure  from  the  beginning  such 
openly  impenitent,  sensual  sinners  in  his  holy  city,  kingdom 
and  community,  and  he  will  never  endure  them — believe  this 
to  be  true. 

'  O  Almighty  God  and  Lord,  how  miserably  thy  holy  and  pa- 
ternal will  and  thy  adorably  great  name  are  derided,  and  how 
little  is  thy  saving,  precious  word  esteemed:  yea,  what  an 
abominable,  idolatrous,  sensual,  revengeful  and  blood-thirsty 
devil  is  made  of  thy  beloved  Son ;  for  they  cover  all  their  abomi- 
nations, sins  and  disgraces  with  his  blessed,  holy  name,  word, 
death  and  blood. 

Be  ashamed,  O  you  heedless,  pei*verted  men,  be  ashamed,  I 
say,  before  God  and  his  angels  that  you  are  so  rebellious  and 
refractory;  that  you  live  so  rudely.  But  yet  you  say  that  you 
are  the  rightly  regenerated  community  and  baptized  church  of 
Christ.  Oft  have  I  told  you,  and  tell  you  again;  all  who  are 
born  of  God,  rightly  baptized  with  the  spirit,  fire  and  water,  as 
the  scriptures  teach,  are  of  a  heavenly  and  divine  mind;  their 
sins  they  bury,  lead  a  penitent,  pious  life  according  to  the  Lord's 


THE  NEW  BIRTH.  26? 

word.  They  show  the  nature  and  power  of  Christ  which  dwells 
in  them  by  word  and  work;  they  bring  forth  the  fruits  of  the 
spirit,  and  subdue  the  works  of  the  flesh;  they  are  useful  mem- 
bers of  the  body  of  Christ,  and  labor  according  to  the  gift  re- 
ceived. In  short,  they  are  fruitful  branches  of  the  true  vine, 
and  their  fruits  abide  to  eternal  life.  (John  15.) 

But  since  it  is  manifest  in  you,  that  you  show  the  reverse  in 
all  your  fruits,  and  we  do  see  in  your  whole  lives  that  it  is  but 
word  and  flesh  with  you,  hence  it  is  more  than  clear  that  your 
boasting  of  the  new  birth,  spirit,  baptism,  community,  and 
church,  is  not  the  truth;  but  lies  and  falsehood. 

The  holy  scriptures  and  our  common  belief  teach  us  that  the 
holy  Christian  church  is  an  assembly  of  the  righteous,  and  a 
community  of  saints;  and  he  that  can  see  but  partially  into  the 
scriptures,  must  confess  that  your  church  and  assembly  are  a 
church  and  assembly  of  the  unrighteous,  of  the  lascivious,  of  the 
impenitent  and  sensual;  yea,  of  the  blood-thirsty  wolves,  lions, 
bears,  basilisks,  serpents,  and  fiery,  flying  dragons. 

Ah!  friends,  lift  your  heads,  and  open  your  eyes!  O  ye  be- 
witched! look  over  the  whole  world,  what  life  they  lead  who 
have  received  the  same  baptism  with  you;  who  practise  like 
ordinances  and  worships,  who  indulge  in  the  same  boasting  of 
the  Lord's  death  and  blood  and  say  that  they  are  the  church 
and  people  of  Christ.  For  it  is  clearer  than  mid-day,  that  many 
of  you  are  so  insanie,  so  influenced  by  the  spirit  of  the  devil, 
that  you  hate,  envy,  bite  and  devour  one  another;  so  that  you 
wholly  destroy  principalities,  cities,  castles  and  citadels  with 
your  accursed  fightings  and  uproar;  human  blood  you  shed  like 
water;  deprive  the  poor  citizen  and  peasant  (those  of  your  own 
faith)  of  body  and  possessions  by  burning,  robbing,  plundering, 
catching,  imposition,  torturing,  nay  even  those  who  have  never 
harmed  you,  or  given  you  a  rash  word.  In  truth,  I  know  not 
how  the  infernal  Behemoth  could  be  more  devilish  and  cruel 
than  you  or  your  members,  who  imagine  that  they  are  the 
church  of  Christ.  God  preserve  us!  You  disgrace  families, 
you  persecute  the  righteous;  you  encourage  open  brothels, 
tippling  houses,  boxing  schools,  gaming  boards,  and  the  like 
disgraces,  idolatrcus  houses  and  images7  with  all  false  service 
and  the  like,  without  measure  and  bounds.  I  will  not  touch 
your  intolerable,  scandalous  cursing  and  swearing,  drunkenness, 
wantonness,  &c.  I  cannot  say  much;  I  tremble;  for  it  strikes 
me  that  none  is  to  be  found  under  the  canopy  of  heaven,  who 
can  minutely  relate  your  belief,  and  baptized  persons'  gi'eat 
abominations,  wicked  acts,  misusages,  gross  scandals;  a  right- 
eous person  must  be  astounded,  and  terror  stricken  at  those 
great  sins.  O  dear  Lord,  strengthen  us!  Yea,  he  that  does 
not  rightly  understand  that  you  are  not  born  from  above,  but 


268  THE  NEW  BIRTH. 

are  baptized  contrary  to  all  scripture,  and  that  all  your  boasting 
of  the  forgiveness  of  sins,  Christ's  mercy,  grace,  merits,  flesh, 
blood,  cross,  death,  community,  kingdom  and  eternal  promise, 
is  vain,  and  without  the  scriptures,  he  must  be,  we  may  say,  an 
irrational  man. 

Ah,  readers!  How  little  you  think  upon  the  word  of  the  Lord, 
which  is  so  highly  recommended  to  you;  and  how  little  you  re- 
gard your  poor  souls,  which  are  bought  with  such  a  precious 
price,  and  are  eternally  to  live  with  God  in  heaven,  or  eternally 
to  be  dying  with  the  devil  in  hell.  Think  you,  my  friends,  that 
the  Lord  is  a  dreamer,  or  his  word  is  false?  Ah,  no!  not  a 
letter  will  fall  to  the  ground  of  all  that  he  spoke.  It  is  high 
time  that  you  would  reflect  that  God's  promise  and  grace  are  not 
to  the  unregenerated  and  impenitent,  but  to  the  regenerated 
and  penitent.  Let  every  one  take  warning  and  trust  no  longer 
in  lies,  believing  that  he  is  baptized  and  regenerated,  nor  trust 
to  long  standing  usages,  nor  npon  papistic  decretals,  nor  im- 
perial mandates,  nor  upon  the  wisdom  and  glossaries  of  the 
learned,  nor  upon  the  opinion  of  any  man,  council,  institution 
and  wisdom.  God  says  through  the  prophet:  My  counsel  shall 
stand,  and  I  will  do  all  my  pleasure.  God's  word  is  eternal. 
Neither  princes,  nor  power,  nor  the  commands  of  men  with  all 
their  imperial  edicts  can  save  a  single  soul.  (Isa.  29,  40,  46;  1 
Pet.  1 ;  Matt.  25. )  Only  the  heavenly  counsel  we  must  hear 
and  follow — that  which  Jesus  Christ,  God's  true  and  only  be- 
gotten Son  himself  brought  from  heaven,  and  taught  from  the 
mouth  of  his  Father,  and  confirmed  by  signs  and  wonders,  and 
finally  sealed  it  with  his  crimson  blood.  This  counsel  stands, 
I  say,  and  can  never  be  changed  or  prevailed  against  by  the  gates 
of  hell.  By  this  counsel  we  are  in  common  taught  that  we  must 
hear  Christ — believe  on  him — follow  his  footsteps — that  we 
must  repent — be  born  from  above — become  like  little  children, 
not  in  understanding  but  in  malice — be  of  the  same  mind  with 
Christ — that  we  have  to  walk  as  he  did — deny  ourselves,  take 
up  his  cross  and  follow  him — that  if  we  love  father  and  mother, 
children  or  life  more  than  him  we  are  not  worthy  of  him,  nor 
are  we  his  disciples.  Again,  that  adulterers,  whoremongers, 
drunkards,  murderers,  idolaters  and  the  like,  shall  not  inherit 
the  kingdom  of  God.  That  we  love  not  the  world  and  the  things 
therein — nor  conform  to  the  world — that  we  through  faith  are 
to  die  unto  our  evil  flesh  and  conquer  the  devil — that  we  are  to 
lead  an  upright,  unblamable,  pious  life  through  faith;  in  all 
things  act  according  to  the  will  of  the  Lord.  Again,  that  we 
are  to  baptize  upon  faith  and  not  without  it — celebrate  the 
Lord's  supper  in  a  sincerely  penitent  communion,  I  mean  so  far 
as  man  can  judge.  That  we  practise  exclusion  or  the  ban  accord- 
ing to  the  scriptures.    That  we  are  to  fear  and  serve  the  Lord 


THE  NEW  BIRTH.  269 

with  all  the  heart,  and  walk  in  his  commands — and  that  we  are 
to  assist  and  serve  our  neighbor  as  much  as  in  us  is,  and  the  like 
doctrine  and  instruction,  (John  3,  8, 13;  Matt.  5,  7,  10, 11,  16,  19, 
23,  28;  1  John  1,  2,  5;  Luke  13,  14,  18,  22,  24;  1  Cor.  5,  6,  11; 
Gal.  5;  Rom.  12,  16;  1  Pet.  2,  3,  5;  Phil.  12;  Mark  16,  24;  Tit. 
3;  2  Thes.  3;  Deut.  5,  10;  John  14;  Isa.  28;  Lev.  19.) 

Behold,  worthy  reader,  here  you  have  in  part  the  immutable, 
eternal  counsel  of  God,  which  was  sealed  in  the  councils  of  his 
Majesty,  and  besides  this,  he  recognizes  no  other.  Blessed  are 
they  who  receive  this  with  a  firm  faith,  and  conform  thereto 
according  to  their  abilities,  in  all  meekness;  that  is,  live  accord- 
ing to  Christ's  spirit,  word,  ordinance,  command,  prohibition 
and  unblamable  example.  On  the  contrary,  cursed  are  they 
who  despise,  reject,  curse,  hate,  defame,  mock  and  persecute  it, 
and  comfort  themselves  with  humn-n  power,  institutions  and 
fables.  For  they  deny  the  Lord  who  bought  them,  and  reject 
the  gospel  of  peace;  and  do  not  believe  that  Jesus  Christ  is 
their  Messiah,  Saviour,  High  Priest  and  Prophet.  (2  Pet.  2.) 
Ah !  how  well  for  them  if  they  had  never  been  born.  The  Lord 
mercifully  grant  them  converted  and  renewed  hearts,  that  they 
may  repent  and  be  eternally  saved,  if  it  is  possible. 

I  will  now  close  the  matter  and  direct  the  well-meaning  reader 
to  the  scriptures;  since  the  whole  world,  with  few  exceptions, 
is  built  upon  human  doctrine,  lies,  invented  fables,  perverted 
glossaries,  vain  idolatry  and  false  service,  by  which  the  people 
of  the  world  comfort  themselves  and  boast  of  what  they  neither 
have  nor  are ;  therefore  did  I  very  briefly  show  in  this  epistle 
according  to  my  ability,  who  the  truly  regenerated  and  baptized 
Christians  are  who  have  the  promise,  or  who  are  not  such;  so 
that  all  who  truly  hunger  and  thirst,  who  are  zealous  for  God, 
may  be  rightly  satisfied  with  the  truth  unto  eternal  salvation; 
and  no  longer  follow  deceit  to  their  eternal  condemnation.  Yea, 
that  all  may  be  benefitted,  become  whole  and  be  saved — all 
who  now  stand  so  miserably  poor  and  wretched  before  the  eyes 
of  the  Lord.  The  Lord  strengthen  you — believe  God's  infallible 
word — reform  your  sinful  lives,  pray  with  confidence  and  be 
obedient  to  the  gospel  of  Christ;  that  you  may  receive  the  eter- 
nal promise  to  your  eternal  joy  and  salvation,  which  God  the 
Father  promised  to  all  his  beloved  children  through  Christ. 
Grace  be  with  all  who  seek  Christ  and  eternal  life  with  all  the 
heart.  Amen.  If  you  will  suffer  Jesus  Christ,  with  his  eternal 
spirit  and  word  to  be  judge,  then  you  will  learn  that  the  sure 
Foundation  of  Truth  has  been  shown. 


270  AN  e;:s:hortation  to  the  dspersed 


AN  EXHOKTATIO]Sr 

TO  THE  DISPERSED  AND  UNKNOWN 
CHILDREN  OF  GOD. 

To  all  the  Chosen  Children  of  God,  dispersed  here  and  there,  to 
the  Sanctified  in  Christ  Jesus,  unknown  to  me,  my  beloved 
brethren  and  fellow  believers,  to  you  be  the  kingdom  and  portion 
of  Chrisfs  grace  and  peace. 

Cordially  beloved  brethren  and  sisters  in  Christ  Jesus,  I 
inform  you  with  great  joy  that  some  brethren  have  written  and 
informed  me  how  the  merciful,  faithful  Father  endowed  you 
with  the  heavenly  gift  of  his  divine  knowledge,  and  enlightened 
you  with  his  Holy  Spirit,  that  your  faith  works  by  love,  your 
hope  is  lively,  and  your  union  among  each  other  is  Christian-like, 
and  that  your  peace  is  pleasant,  and  that  the  community  of  the 
Lord  is  increased  and  extended  daily  in  great  power  and  glory, 
through  the  grace  of  God.  For  this  I  thank  his  paternal  kind- 
ness with  joyful  heart,  and  I  pray  his  grace  inasmuch  as  he  has 
called  you  to  the  fellowship  of  his  beloved  Son,  and  to  the  im- 
perishable,eternal  kingdom  of  his  glory  through  his  holy  gospel, 
that  He  may  now  and  henceforth  preserve  you  with  the  strong 
power  of  his  divine  arm,  in  your  faith,  love,  doctrine,  under- 
standing, truth  and  life,  without  any  offence  till  the  end.  Faith- 
ful is  he  who  has  called  you,  (1  Thes.  5,)  and  he  will  undoubtedly 
do  it,  if  you  only  continue  to  be  zealous  in  prayer,  and  unwaver- 
ing in  your  undertaking,  never  become  sleepy  nor  slothful,  nor 
at  last  return  again,  as  did  refractory  and  disobedient  Israel  to 
the  flesh  pots  of  Egypt.  (Num.  11.)  May  the  Lord  eternally 
and  graciously  preserve  us,  since,  you  are  then  called  to  such 
a  high  and  glorious  grace,  as  related,  and  we  undoubtedly  know 
our  weak  flesh,  and  the  sinful  nature  which  we  possess  from 
Adam,  which  makes  our  whole  heart  and  life  unclean,  and 
besides  we  learn  from  the  scriptures,  that  our  opponent,  the 
devil,  goes  about  like  a  roaring  lion,  having  rest  neither  day  nor 
night,  but  always  seeking  that  he  might  devour  us.    (1  Pet.  5.) 

I  do,  therefore,  exhort  you  as  my  fellow-combatants  against 
evil  flesh,  and  the  tents  of  death,  that  you  may  strictly  watch 
over  yourselves,  that  you  circumcise,  teach  and  sanctify  your 
hearts  with  the  spirit  of  God,  (Deut.  10,  30;)  exhort  and  reprove 
one  another,  curb  your  thoughts,  subdue  and  extinguish  your 
impure  evil  lusts,  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord;  for  blessed  are  the  pure 
in  heart.     Walk  worthy  of  the  Lord  and  his  gospel  to  which 


AND  UNKNOWN  CHILDREN  OF  GOD.  271 

you  hare  come.  Whatever  God  has  commanded  do  it  without 
murmuring;  (Jer.  4;  Rom.  2;  Eccl.  23;  Matt.  5;  Phil.  1;)  act  so 
that  none  of  a  truth  may  complain  of  you,  be  sincere  children 
of  God,  unblamable  in  this  crooked  and  perverse  generation, 
and  shine  as  lights  in  the  midst  of  a  dark  night  in  this  present 
evil  world.     (Phil.  1,2.) 

Take  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  as  an  example,  and  follow  his 
footsteps;  walk  as  he  walked;  therefore  did  Moses  and  all  the 
prophets  preach,  (Matt.  11;  John  13;  1  Pet.  2;  1  John  2;)  to 
that  end  did  the  Son  of  God  come  down  from  heaven,  sent  out 
the  holy  apostles,  and  instituted  baptism  and  the  Lord's  supper 
as  the  mouth  of  the  Lord  commanded,  that  we  may  thereby 
be  admonished  to  awaken,  to  repent  and  lead  an  unblamable 
pious  life  in  all  righteousness.  Be  ye  holy,  for  I  am  holy,  says 
the  Lord;  Peter  says:  But  ye  are  a  chosen  generation,  a  royal 
priesthood,  an  holy  nation,  a  peculiar  people;  that  ye  should 
show  forth  the  praises  of  him  who  hath  called  you  out  of 
darkness  into  his  marvellous  light.  (Lev.  19;  Exod.  19;  1  Pet. 
2;  2  Pet.  1;  John  3.)  You  are  guests  called  to  the  Lord's  table, 
and  have  come  to  the  marriage  of  the  Lord ;  ye  are  his  chosen 
friends  and  bride,  therefore  hear  his  voice  willingly,  (Rev.  19,) 
and  whatever  is  pleasing  to  him  do  cheerfully.  Adorn  yourself 
with  the  shining  garment  of  white  linen,  (Rev.  2,)  be  faithful 
unto  death,  and  beware  of  all  strange  gods,  (Ezek  16,)  dedi- 
cate yourselves  wholly  unto  the  Lord;  that  he  may  teach, 
reprove,  govern  and  lead  you  with  his  spirit  and  word,  and  have 
his  perfect  work  in  you,  for  you  are  in  his  grace,  and  through  his 
grace  you  are  espoused  unto  him,  bought  with  his  blood,  recon- 
ciled to  the  Father,  sanctified  as  priests  and  kings,  and  made 
heirs  of  his  eternal  kingdom.  (1  Cor.  6;  Col.  1;  Rev.  1,  5.) 
Therefore  it  is  proper  and  right  that  we  should  be  grateful  to 
such  a  kind  Lord,  for  such  gifts;  hear  him,  lay  his  word  to 
heart  and  do  what  is  well  pleasing  to  him. 

Beloved  children:  Fear  not,  but  be  joyful;  for  he  is  such  a 
faithful,  pious  king,  to  whom  you  have  sworn  and  bowed  your 
knees,  not  the  least  of  his  promises  shall  fail  you,  he  will  be  our 
shield  and  great  reward,  (Gen.  15, )  therefore,  doubt  and  stagger 
not;  for  it  is  but  a  small  thing  that  we  endure  the  heat  of  the 
sun,  tribulation,  fear,  sorrow,  temptation,  robbing,  persecution, 
prison  and  death  for  a  time.  The  messenger  is  now  at  the  door, 
who  says  to  us:  Come  ye  blessed  of  my  Father,  enter  the  joys 
of  the  Lord,  (Matt.  25, )  then  will  our  short-lived  pain  be  changed 
into  ceaseless  exultation;  these  bloody  tyrants,  with  their 
bloody  mandates,  will  come  to  an  end,  and  all  our  persecutors, 
avengers,  executioners  and  torturers  will  cease ;  we  will  follow 
the  Lamb,  adorned  in  white  garments,  (Rev.  7;  Esd.  2y)  with 
palms  in  our  hands  and  crowns  upon  our  head;  neither  torment 


273  AN  EXROTATION  OP  THE  DISPERSED 

nor  pain,  nor  pangs  of  death  will  harm  us,  ("Wis.  3;)  but  we  will 
serve  him  who  sits  upon  the  throne,  and  praise  and  adore  the 
Lamb  eternally. 

Behold,  my  little  children,  all  the  truly  believing  pious  hearts 
comfort  themselves  with  the  approaching  change,  that  they  may 
possess  their  souls  with  patience;  well  knowing  that  great  is 
their  reward  in  heaven,  (Luke  21;  Matt.  5,)  and  that,  on  the 
other  band  all  the  ungodly  shall  have  their  portion  in  the  eter- 
nal, unchangeable  fire,  under  the  intolerable  and  dreadful 
sentence  of  God,  in  the  abyss  of  hell,  if  they  do  not  be  converted 
and  repent  with  all  their  hearts.  Wo!  wo!  to  these  wretched 
people !  for  it  was  an  evil  day  in  which  they  were  born !  My 
little  children  be  cheerful  in  Christ,  and  despair  not,  (Luke  21 ; 
Matt.  5,)  for  so  long  as  we  love  God  sincerely,  seek  and  fear 
him;  and  with  a  pure  zeal  walk  in  the  truth,  ("Rev.  21,  22,) 
neither  world  nor  flesh,  neither  tyranny  nor  devil,  neither  sin, 
hell,  nor  death  shall  hinder  us;  but  we  will  have  for  our  aid,  the 
victory,  by  the  grace  of  God,  gained  by  a  firm  faith  in  the  blood 
of  Christ,  and  this  through  the  spirit  of  Christ  which  dwells  in 
us.  David  says:  By  my  God  I  can  leap  over  a  wall.  (Ps.  18.) 
Paul  says:  I  can  do  all  things  through  Christ,  who  strengthens 
me.  (Phil.  4.)  Christ  says:  Be  of  good  cheer,  I  have  over- 
come the  world;  (John  16,)  and  thus  will  they  overcome,  who 
will  abide  in  Christ,  as  we  may  not  only  see  in  the  prophets 
and  apostles,  but  also  in  many  pious  hearts  at  the  present  day, 
in  great  power  and  clearness. 

I  have  nothing  particular  any  more  to  write,  therefore, 
beware  that  you  walk  wisely  and  circumspectly,  (Eph.  2;  Matt. 
22,  25, )  preserve  your  wedding  garment,  have  oil  at  all  times 
in  your  lamp,  lest  the  Lord  meet  you  in  an  undue  time,  find 
you  unprepared  and  in  nudity,  and  close  the  door  on  you,  or 
thrust  you  into  deep  darkness. 

With  unfeigned,  true,  brotherly  love,  and  out  of  a  pure  heart, 
love  each  other  cordially,  as  those  who  are  regenerated  not  of 
corrupt  but  of  incorruptible  seed,  out  of  the  word  of  the  living 
God,  which  abides  to  eternity.  (1  Pet.  1.)  For  love  is  of  God 
and  of  a  divine  nature;  (1  John  4;)  love  does  right  before  God 
and  man;  it  is  long-suffering,  compassionate  and  peaceable. 
(1  Cor.  13;  Rom.  13.  J  In  short,  love  is  unblamable  and  brings 
forth  Christian  fruit;  it  is  the  spiritual  girdle  of  Aaron  and  his 
sons;  the  girdle  of  perfection  and  the  fair  bond  of  peace.  (Lev. 
28;  Col.  3;  Eph.  4.j  O  how  completely  happy  is  he,  who  is 
girded  with  this  bond,  for  he  is  born  of  God,  and  God  is  in  him; 
yea,  where  this  love  is,  there  we  find  the  true,  sincere  and  pious 
Christian.  Therefore,  take  care  of  this  bond,  (1  John  1,)  for 
if  you  loose  this,  you  will  lose  Christ  Jesus  and  eternal  life. 

Beware  of  false  doctrine,  of  all  discord,  strife  and  dissension, 


AND  UNKNOWN  CHILDREN  OF  GOD.  273 

and  without  wavering,  adhere  to  Christ's  spirit,  word  and 
example,  if  you  would  not  be  deceived;  for  every  spirit  which 
is  not  satisfied  with  Christ's  spirit,  word  and  example,  and  will 
not  conform  thereto,  in  his  weakness,  he  is  not  out  of  God,  but 
he  is  the  spirit  of  Antichrist,  who  would  rob  you  again  and  all 
the  pious  of  the  precious  light  of  revealed  truth,  (which  gra- 
ciously appeared  to  us,  poor  children,  in  these  abominable  days, ) 
and  would  again  lead  you  on  the  crooked  paths  of  death,  under 
the  semblance  of  the  scriptures. 

My  little  children  in  Christ,  be  you  warned;  out  of  true, 
brotherly  love  I  write  to  you;  the  merciful,  gracious  God 
grant  that  you  may  read,  hear,  and  understand  it,  that  it  may 
bring  much  fruit  among  you,  and  that  you  may  abide  in  eternal 
life.  Pray  for  your  unknown  brother  who  loves  you,  in  truth. 
He  that  continues  to  be  perfect  to  the  end,  shall  be  saved. 
The  saving  power  and  fruits  of  the  crimson  blood  of  Christ, 
be  with  you,  and  with  all  my  chosen  brothers  and  sisters,  to 
eternity.     Amen. 


12* 


CONSOLING  ADMONITION 


CONCERNING  THE 


SUFFERINGS,  OPPRESSIONS 


AND 


PERSECUTIONS  OF  THE  SAINTS, 


FOR    THE 


WORD  OF  GOD  AND  HIS  TESTIMONY. 


Blessed  are  ye  when  men  shall  revile  you,  and  persecute  you,  and 
shall  say  all  manner  of  evil  against  you,  falsely  for  my  sake.  Re- 
joice and  be  exceeding  glad,  for  great  is  your  reward  in  heaven:  for 
so  persecuted  they  thc-prophets  which  were  before  you.— Matt.  5. 

Yea,  and  all  that  will  live  godly  in  Christ  Jesus,  must  suffer  perse- 
cution.—2  Tim.  3. 

For  other  foundation  can  no  man  lay  than  that  is  laid,  which  is 
Jesus  Christ— 1  Cob.  3. 


PEEFACE 


I,  Mbnno  Simon,  desire  sincerely  that  all  the  true  children  of  God 
may  obtain  grace,  peace,  frankness  of  heart,  a  perfect  mind,  in  all 
temptations,  from  God  our  heavenly  Father,  through  his  dear  son, 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  in  the  power  of  his  holy  spirit,  to  his  eternal 
praise  and  glory,  and  to  our  edification  and  salvation.    Amen. 

Beloved  brethren  and  sisters  in  the  Lord,  the  all-merciful  God  and 
Father,  through  his  boundless  grace  and  goodness,  has  again,  in 
these  last  times  of  imbelief,  abominations  and  Idolatry,  in  this  ter- 
rible, wanton,  ruthless,  perverted  and  blood-thirsty  world,  revealed 
before  the  eyes  of  the  consciences  of  some,  his  blessed,  only,  and 
eternal  Son,  Jesus  Christ,  who  was  unknown  for  so  many  centuries. 
He  has  again  opened  the  book  of  the  divine  declarations  and  eternal 
truth,  which  had  been  closed  for  hundreds  of  years.  (Gal.  3  ;  Rev. 
5 ;  2  Kings,  22,  23.)  Some  of  those  who  lay  dead,  not  for  four  days 
only,  as  Lazarus  did,  according  to  the  flesh,  but  for  twenty  or  thirty 
years,  yea,  who  all  their  life-long. slumbered  in  the  spiritual  death 
of  sin  and  all  imgodliness,  have  awakened  from  the  foul  grave  of 
unbelief  and  unrighteousness,  and  have  been  called  to  a  new 
unblamable  life.  And  through  the  preaching  of  his  woid,  in  the 
power  of  his  holy  spirit,  he  continues  to  call  the  poor,  miserable, 
starving  sheep  out  of  the  hands  of  the  faithless  shepherds,  (Ezek. 
34,)  and  out  of  the  clutches  of  the  ravening  wolves ;  he  leads  them 
out  of  the  dry,  unfruitful  pastures  of  man's  doctrine  and  commands, 
to  the  green,  fat  pastures  upon  the  mount  of  Israel,  and  places  them 
under  the  power  and  protection  of  their  only  and  eternal  shepherd, 
Christ  J«sus,  who,  through  his  precious,  crimson  blood  has  cleansed, 
purified  and  taken  them  for  his  own.  (1  Pet.  1 ;  Eph.  1 ;  1  Cor.  6 ; 
Tit.  2.)  Therefore,  the  gates  of  hell  foam  and  rage,  they  erect 
themselves  and  show  themselves  in  all  their  horrors.  Herod  with 
the  whole  city  is  above  measure  frightened  and  enraged,  because 
lie  has  heard  of  the  wise  men  (those  who  are  taught  of  God)  that  the 
King  of  the  Jews  is  born.  (Matt.  2.)  The  great  dragon,  the  old 
crooked  serpent,  who  was  cast  from  heaven,  whose  head  and  power 
has  been  bruised  and  broken  by  the  promised  seed  of  the  woman,  is 
overcome  by  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  and,  on  account  of  the  word  of 
his  testimony,  bums  with  anger.  He  knows  well  that  his  time  is 
short,  and  therefore  he  carries  on  his  works  and  tyranny,  through 
his  children  and  servants,  the  unbelievers,  with  great  wrath  and 
fierceness,  against  those  who  have  been  sprinkled  with  the  blood 
of  the  Lamb.  (Rev.  12;  Gen.  3 ;  Eph.  2 ;  Eccl.  12;  Matt.  16.)  Annas 
and  Caiaphas  counsel  to  slay  Christ.  Judas  and  all  false  apostles 
and  teachers  betray  and  deliver  him  up.  Herod,  with  all  his  lords 
and  princes,  soom  and  mock  him.  The  people  cry  out,  cruets  him ! 


278  niEPACE. 

crucify  hiin  !  (Matt.  26.)  Pilate  and  all  those  who  bear  the  sword 
sentence  him  to  stocks,  fire,  sword  and  water.  The  servants  seize, 
spit  upon,  scourge,  crown  and  kill  him.  The  centurion  opens  his 
side,  the  others  mock,  blaspheme  and  upbraid  him.  Who  is  there 
who  does  not  persecute  with  heart,  word  or  deed,  the  poor,  inno- 
cent, peaceful,  defenceless  Lamb  1  Yea,  with  the  ungodly  Cain  began 
the  bloody  tyranny  which  has  manifested  itself  in  oppressing  the 
pious  and  godly. 

Thus  the  Lamb  has  been  persecuted  and  belied  from  the  begin- 
ning, in  his  chosen,  by  the  malice  of  the  conquered  serpent }  and  it 
appears  from  the  scriptures  that  such  will  be  the  case,  as  long  as 
the  righteous  and  unrighteous  exist  upon  earths  Particularly  in 
our  times  it  may  be  seen,  that  the  cross  of  Christ  is  renewed  in  the 
pious  children  of  God  (as  was  the  case  with  the  fathers,)  who  are 
inwardly  born  again  out  of  the  seed  of  the  word  of  God.  I  cannot 
forbear  to  admonish,  with  the  word  of  God,  my  fellow  believers 
and  joint  sufferers.  The  crosses  and  persecutions  of  the  saints 
were  shown  in  the  scriptures  to  the  fathers,  both  of  the  old  and 
new  testament,  and  now  to  the  godly  witnesses  of  our  times,  in 
order  that  after  their  example  they  may  fearlessly  and  bravely 
stand  the  contest,  with  long-suffering,  patience  and  willingness, 
through  the  power  of  their  faith  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  receive  the 
promised  Canaan.  (Heb.  12 ;  1  John  5 ;  2  Tim.  4 ;  James  1.)  For  this 
purpose,  grant  to  us,  Father  of  every  good  and  perfect  gift,  the 
riches  of  thy  grace  in  the  power  of  thy  Spirit  through  thy  dear  son, 
Jesus  Christ,  our  Lord.    Amen. 


OF  THE  CKOSS  OF  CHRIST. 

Blessed  are  they  (said  Christ)  which  are  persecuted  for 
righteousness'  sake,  for  theirs  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 
(Matt.  5.) 

I  know  well,  worthy  brethren  and  sisters  in  the  Lord,  that 
the  true  laborers  and  servants  of  the  Lord  have  each  one 
planted  and  watered  according  to  the  gifts  which  they  have 
received.  (1  Cor.  3,  4.)  They  have  caused  you  to  be  born  again 
of  the  living  word  of  the  holy  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  to  be 
built  upon  Christ  the  firm  and  immovable  corner  stone.  They 
have  taught  you  the  word,  will  and  ordinances  of  God  according 
to  his  good  pleasure.  They  have  united  you  as  a  willing,  obedient 
and  pure  bride  to  your  bridegroom,  Christ  Jesus.  They  go 
before  you  in  all  earnestness,  in  the  narrow  way — they  preach 
the  cross,  and  point  out  the  pains  and  costs  of  this  godly  build- 
ing, for  it  can  never  be  otherwise  (as  you  well  know)  than  that 
all  who  would  hear  and  follow  Christ,  who  would  enter  through 
the  right  door,  and  would  walk  upon  the  highway  to  eternal  life 
in  the  light  of  Christ,  must  first  deny  themselves,  and  all  they 
are  with  the  whole  heart.  They  must,  in  all  misery,  ignominy 
and  trouble,  take  upon  themselves  the  pressing  cross,  and  must 
follow  the  rejected,  outcast,  bleeding  and  crucified  Christ,  as  he 
himself  said:  If  any  man  will  come  after  me,  let  him  deny 
himself,  and  take  up  his  cross  and  follow  me.  (Matt.  16.)  Yes, 
all  who  do  not  stand  prepared  to  take  up  this  grievous  life  of 
the  cross  and  trouble,  and  hate  not  father  and  mother,  son, 
daughter,  husband  and  wife,  houses,  land,  money,  goods  and 
life,  cannot  be  Christ's  disciples.     (Luke  14.) 

My  faithful  brethren,  this  is  a  true  and  sure  word;  for  the 
eternal  truth,  Christ  Jesus,  has  in  many  places  of  the  scriptures 
pointed  out  and  testified  in  great  clearness:  Behold,  he  says,  I 
send  you  forth  as  sheep  in  the  midst  of  wolves:  be  ye  therefore 
wise  as  serpents,  and  harmless  as  doves.  But  beware  of  men, 
for  they  will  deliver  you  up  to  the  councils,  and  they  will  scourge 
you  in  their  synagogues,  and  ye  shall  be  brought  before  gov- 
ernors and  kings  for  my  sake,  for  a  testimony  against  them 
and  the  Gentiles. 

Again:  The  brother  shall  deliver  up  the  brother  to  death ; 
and  the  father  the  child,  and  the  children  shall  rise  up  against 
their  parents,  and  shall  cause  them  to  be  put  to  death,  and  ye 
shall  be  hated  of  all  men  for  my  name's  sake. 
P Again:  The  disciple  is  not  above  his  master  nor  the  servant 
above  his  lord.    It  is  enough  for  the  disciple  that  he  be  as  his 


380  OF  THE  CBOSS  OP  CHRIST. 

master  and  the  servant  as  Ms  lord.  If  they  have  called  the 
master  of  the  house,  Beelzebub  how  much  more  shall  they  call 
them  of  his  household. 

Again:  He  that  loveth  father  or  mother  more  than  me,  is  not 
•worthy  of  me,  and  he  that  loveth  son  or  daughter  more  than 
me,  is  not  worthy  of  me.  And  he  that  taketh  not  his  cross  and 
followeth  after  me,  is  not  worthy  of  me.  He  that  findeth  his 
life  shall  lose  it,  and  he  that  loseth  his  life  for  my  sake  shall 
find  it.     (Matt.  10.) 

Again:  Then  shall  they  deliver  you  up  to  be  afflicted  and 
shall  kill  you:  and  ye  shall  be  hated  of  all  nations  for  my 
name's  sake.     (Matt.  24.) 

Again:  They  shall  put  you  out  of  the  synagogues:  yea,  the 
time  cometh  that  whosoever  killeth  you,  will  think  that  he 
doeth  God  service.  CJohn  15,  16;  Matt.  16;  Mark  8,  13;  Luke 
9,  14,  21.) 

Again:  We  must  through  much  tribulation  enter  into  the 
kingdom  of  God.  CA.cts  14.)  All  who  live  godly  in  Christ 
Jesus  must  suffer  persecutions.  (2  Tim.  3.)  If  we  be  dead 
with  him,  we  shall  also  live  with  him;  if  we  suffer,  we  shall  also 
reign  with  him!     (2  Tim.  2.) 

Yea,  the  whole  scriptures  abound  with  exhortations,  exam- 
ples, and  histories  of  the  troubles,  sorrows,  miseries,  proscrip- 
tions, upbraidings,  rejections,  seizures,  ignominious  death  and 
crosses  of  the  saints. 

Since  then  true  righteousness,  devotion  and  piety,  are  thus 
miserably  hated,  persecuted  and  cast  out,  as  it  has  been  abun- 
dantly shown  in  the  case  of  the  fathers,  and  as  may  be  seen  and 
found  in  these  last  times,  (as  we  have  said)  I  deem  it  necessary 
to  show  from  the  word  of  the  Lord,  to  our  youthful  brethren 
and  sisters,  who  such  persons  are,  who  persecute  us,  and  inflict 
upon  us  this  trouble  and  sorrow;  wherefore  they  do  so,  where- 
with they  maintain  their  bloody  deeds  for  right;  what  profit  we 
receive  from  the  cross,  and  what  is  promised  to  those,  who, 
through  the  power  of  faith,  overcome  all  temptations  and  ex- 
tremities, and  maintain  the  conflict  through  Christ  Jesus,  in 
order  that  they,  through  such  counsels,  may  be  ready  and  pre- 
pared for  all  trials.  That  they  may  put  on  the  breast-plate  of 
righteousness,  the  helmet  of  salvation,  with  the  shield  of  faith, 
and  be  girded  with  the  sharp  sword  of  the  spirit  in  all  humility 
and  meekness,  patience,  (Eph.  6;  1  Thes.  5;  1  John  5,)  with 
ardent  prayers  and  sighs  to  the  Lord,  in  order  that  when  any 
swift,  unseen  uproar  shall  arise  against  us,  it  shall  not  fall  upon 
us  unawares — that  an  unexpected  storm  shall  not  cast  down 
our  house — the  heat  of  the  sun  shall  not  scorch  the  growing 
Dlant — the  heat  and  power  of  the  fire  shall  not  consume  the 
erected  works,  (Matt.  7;  Matt.  23;  Luke  8;  1  Cor.  3,)  and  that 


OF  THE  CKOSS  OF  CHRIST.  281 

we  be  not  drawn  off  and  frightened  to  a  deadly  apostacy  by 
tbeir  threats,  uproar  and  tyranny.  Therefore,  my  beloved,  so 
read  and  understand  in  all  love,  for  the  Lord  knows  that  out  of 
pure  love  I  have  written  this  for  the  benefit  of  my  dear 
brethren,  according  to  my  received  gifts. 

In  the  first  place,  dear  brethren,  I  esteem  it  to  be  very  useful 
and  necessary  to  all  the  godly  and  the  strivers  under  the  cross 
of  Christ,  who  seek  for  encouragement  in  their  crosses  and 
sufferings,  which  they  endure  for  the  sake  of  the  testimony  of 
God  and  their  consciences,  to  think  carefully  and  earnestly 
upon  those  who  persecute  them,  of  what  disposition  and  nature 
they  are,  upon  what  way  they  walk,  and  of  what  father,  accord, 
ing  to  the  spirit,  they  are  born.  All  who  carefully  observe 
them,  and  try  them  by  the  scriptures,  will  find,  according  to  my 
opinion,  that  they  are  not  Christians,  but  are  an  unbelieving, 
fleshly,  earthly,  wanton,  blind,. hardened,  lying,  idolatrous,  per- 
verted, malicious,  revengeful,  unmerciful  and  murderous  people. 
A  people  who,  by  their  actions,  show  that  they  neither  know 
Christ  nor  his  Father,  although  they  so  highly  praise  his  holy 
name  with  the  mouth  and  extol  it  with  their  lips.  A  people 
who  tread  in  slippery,  crooked  and  perverted  paths.  A  people 
who  display  not  Christian  love  and  peace,  (John  16;  Isa,  59; 
Rom.  3,)  who  bathe  their  hearts  and  hands  in  blood — their 
disposition  is  to  seize  and  kill.  (2  Pet.  2.)  They  are  children 
and  co-partners  of  him,  who  from  the  beginning  was  a  mur- 
derer and  a  liar,  j^John  8,)  of  whom  the  whole  scriptures  testify, 
that  they  shall  l5ear  forever  the  intolerable  curse  and  maledic- 
tion of  the  righteous  judgment  of  God,  and  the  devouring 
flames  of  hell,  except  they  awake  from  the  deep  sleep  of  their 
sins,  cordially  repent,  believe  the  joyous  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ, 
and  put  on  Christ,  and  thus  show  by  their  whole  lives  and 
actions,  that  they  seek  their  God  with  all  their  might,  and  fear 
and  love  him,  be  they  emperors  or  kings,  doctors  or  licentiates, 
citizen  or  peasant,  man  or  wife :  For  with  God,  says  Paul,  there 
is  no  respect  of  persons,  but  whoever  committeth  sin  he  shall 
bear  the  sin.     (Col.  3.) 

Worthy  and  faithful  brethren  in  the  Lord,  observe  what  a 
poor  miserable  and  unwise  people,  in  divine  things,  it  is  who  so 
bitterly  persecute  and  destroy  you  on  account  of  your  faith. 
Therefore,  it  becomes  all  the  true  and  chosen  children  of  God, 
how  severely  soever  they  inay  be  dealt  with,  and  belied  by  these 
ipeople,  not  to  be  angry  with  them,  but  cordially  to  pity  them, 
and  sigh  sorely  over  their  poor  souls,  and  with  all  meekness  and 
ardency,  after  the  example  of  Christ  and  Stephen,  to  pray  for 
their  raging,  cursed  folly  and  blindness,  for  they  know  not  what 
they  do.  Who  knows  but  that  God  may  give  them  eyes  and 
hearts,  that  they  may  see  and  know  their  blindness  and  unbe- 


282  OF  THE  CROSS  0*F  CHRIST. 

lief,  what  an  impure  life  they  lead,  what  kind  of  people  they 
persecute,  and  whom  they  have  pierced. 

O,  dear  brethren!  observe  and  think  well  upon  your  own 
former  life;  we  have  all  in  former  times  served  one  Lord,  were 
attired  in  the  same  habit,  as  has  been  said.  But  what  we  now' 
are,  we  are  not  of  ourselves,  but  of  God,  by  grace,  through 
Christ  Jesus.  The  mighty  God,  who,  according  to  his  great 
mercy,  has  called  us  out  of  our  accursed  darkness  into  his  mar- 
vellous light,  (2  Pet.  2, )  lives  forever,  his  ears  are  not  stopped, 
nor  his  hand  shortened,  (Isa.  59,)  he  can  undoubtedly  hear  and 
help  them  as  he  helped  us.  And  if  they  never  repent,  but 
continue  with  impenitent  perverted  hearts,  in  all  ungodliness, 
blood,  wantonness  and  tyranny,  we  know  what  the  scriptures 
testify  concerning  them;  that  they  shall  not  inherit  the  king- 
dom of  heaven,  (Rom.  1;  2  Cor.  6:  Gal.  5;  Eph  5;)  but  their 
part  will  be  in  the  fiery  lake  which  burns  with  fire  and  brim- 
stone, (Rev.  21,)  and  the  fire  will  be  everlasting,  (Matt.  25.) 

Each  one  who  reflects  that  his  persecutors  are  so  wholly 
blind  and  destitute  of  understanding,  concerning  what  the 
Spirit  directs,  as  above  said,  and  that  their  lot  shall  be  like  that 
of  the  angels  of  the  bottomless  pit — the  intolerable  wrath  of 
God,  death  and  hell,  which  shall  last  forever,  and  also  that 
the  sufferings  which  we  have  to  endure  from  them  for  the  testi- 
mony of  Jesus  are  but  momentary,  will  through  grace,  by  this 
means,  preserve  his  heart  pure  from  all  wrath,  malice  and  retal- 
iation, and  will  ardently  pray  for  them;  he  will  commend  his 
affairs  to  God  in  all  humility,  long-suffering  and  peace,  will 
preserve  his  spirit  unbroken,  amid  prisons,  fire  and  water. 

Again,  I  deem  it  a  soft  and  mild  salve,  and  a  cooling  to  our 
miseries  and  grief,  if  we  but  reflect  upon  the  only  reason  why 
our  persecutors  so  malevolently  hate  us,  and  so  relentlessly 
destroy  our  name,  property,  reputation,  welfare  and  lives,  which 
is,  because  the  grace  of  God,  through  Christ,  has  enlightened 
us,  (1  Pet.  4,)  because  we  have  believed  the  preached  Gospel, 
and  have  ceased  from  our  blind,  ruthless  life  and  deadly  works, 
because  we  desire,  in  our  weakness,  to  follow  in  the  fear  and  love 
of  God,  after  the  righteousness  of  faith  which  is  required  by 
God,  and  in  obedience  to  the  holy  word,  because  we  acknow- 
ledge the  ever  blessed  Jesus  alone  for  our  redeemer,  mediator, 
intercessor,  spiritual  king,  example,  shepherd,  infallible  teacher 
and  master,  (Matt.  18,  20;  1  John  2;  Rom.  8;  1  Tim.  2;  Heb. 
6,  7;  1  Tim.  6;  Matt.  11;  John  13;  Matt.  13;)  because  we, 
as  far  as  concerns  spirit  and  faith,  try  and  prove  all  spirits, 
doctrines,  councils,  ordinances,  statutes  and  ceremonies  of 
Christ,  and  esteem,  with  the  scriptures,  the  commands  and 
ceremonies  of  men,  which  make  void  the  commands  and  cere- 
monies of  God,  as  not  only  useless,  but  accursed  and  idola- 


OF  TUB  CROSS  OF  CHRIST.  283 

trous,  because  we  regard  and  honor  God  more  than  man,  we 
hold  in  exaltation  his  high,  holy,Hrue  and Jprecious  word;  be- 
cause we  according  to  the  scriptures,  listen  not  to  the  unclean, 
unsound,  idolatrous,  deceiving  and  blood-thirsty  preachers, 
(Matt.  10;  Jer.  13;:Matt.  7,  15;  John  10;  Rom.  16;  2  John  1;) 
because  we  admonish  and  set  an  example  in  all  love,  -as  far  as 
we  are  able  to  the  whole  world,  with  the  word  and  sacraments 
of  God,  and  with  humble,  meek  lives,  (though  in  weakness,) 
according  to  our  abilities;  and  we  rebuke  and  shame,  (though 
always  for  their  good,)  their  deceiving  doctrine,  idolatrous 
sacrament  and  their  wanton,  earthly,  fleshly  life.  (Wis.  5.)  In 
short,  we  set  forth  to  them  the  sure  and  infallible  truth  of  God, 
and  the  way  of  eternal  life,  and  warn  and  alarm  them,  with 
doctrine  and  life,  with  eternal  death  and  the  wrath  of  God. 

Behold,  my  faithful  brethren,  it  is  for  these  reasons  here  enu- 
merated, the  world  lies,  writes,  calls,  preaches;  and  so  malicious 
are  the  persecutors  against  all  the  pious,  they  burn  with  such 
inhuman  rage,  that  the  ravening  fierce  wolves  (John  8,)  and 
roaring  lions,  when  compared  with  them,  cease  to  be  wolves 
and  lions,  but  seem  to  be  lambs.  For  they  are  so  moved  by 
the  inflamed,  blood-thirsty  spirit  of  their  father,  that  they  re- 
gard neither  the  law  of  God  and  Christ,  (which  is  love, )  nor  rea- 
son and  discretion,  nor  the  inwardly  written  law  of  nature,  by 
which  one  honest  man  should  reasonably,  according  to  the  good 
pleasure  of  God,  meet,  bear,  admonish  and  serve  another  in  all 
love.  Yea,  ofttimes  the.  natural^father  delivers  the  son  up  to 
death,  and  the  son  his  father;  the  mother  the  daughter,  and 
the  daughter  her  mother;  and  one  brother  another  on  account 
of  their  faitii,  as  said.     (Matt.  10.) 

Behold,  thus  haughty  and  malicious,  they  assume  without 
any  awe  or  fear  the  umpire  of  God  and  the  office  of  the  Ghost. 
They  banish  Christ  Jesus,  the  head  of  all  princes  and  powers, 
who  has  all  might  in  heaven  and  upon  earth,  from  the  throne 
of  his  divine  majesty,  (Eph.  1;  Col.  2;  Matt.  28;)  and  judge 
also,  with  their  iron  sword,  after'their  own  blind  opinions,  the 
chosen,  god-fearing,  pious  hearts,  enlightened  in  God,  through 
Jesus  Christ,  over  whom  no  literal  sword  may  ever  judge,  for 
they  are  spiritual,  and  from  their?  inmost  ""soul  are  zealous  for 
God  and  his  holy  word,  even  till  death. 

Behold,  so  malicious  and  haughty,  (I  say,)  is  human  reason 
and  so  revengeful  and  envious  is  satanic  hatred,  that  they  fear 
not  to  strive  against  the  Most  High,  and  pierce  Christ  with 
their  murderous,  deadly  sword,  and  persecute  with  all  their 
power  God's  holy  spirit,  gifts,  word,  truth  and  all  that  he  com- 
mands and  will  have  us  do. 

O  that  God  would  grant  that  the  blind  watchmen  (Ezek.  33) 
of  this  world,  I  mean  the  preachers  and  theologians,  may  sound 


284  OP  THE  CKOSS  OF  CHRIST. 

tlieir  horns  to  a  rigTit  tone  and  at  ^  proper  time,  or  that  they 
would  let  them  hang  on  the  walls,  in  order  that  they  may  not 
therewith  tyrannically  call  out  the  deadly  murder-cry,  nor 
longer  deceive  the  sensual,  blind  world,  nor  instigate  the  rulers 
and  magistracy  to  the  destruction  and  murdering  of  the  saints, 
like  hounds  pursuing  the  roe,  nor  cause  the  poor  common  peo- 
ple to  be  alanned  on  account  of  their  leaven  and  husks,  their 
spiritual  theft  and  murder,  (Matt.  15;  Luke  15;  John  10;) 
also  that  all  rulers  and  magistrates  would  tear  the  bridle  from 
their  mouths,  and  cast  their  instigators  from  their  backs,  and 
not  suffer  themselves  to  be  thus  driven  like  dumb  beasts,  and 
then,  (according  to  my  opinion,)  it  will  be  well  for  their  poor 
souls  before  God.  Still,  I  fear  that  the  lying,  murderous  ser- 
pent will  continue  its  envious  bitings,  and  the  striving  woman, 
the  new  Eve  and  her  children,  must  endure  to  the  end,  in  all 
patience  and  long  suffering,  its  daily  bites  and  stings  in  the 
heel.  Since  I  have  here  pointed  out  to  you  in  a  few  words  the 
spirit  and  nature  of  those  who  destroy  you  and  seek  your  pro- 
perty and  your  life,  and  the  reasons  which  impel  them  to  do  so, 
I  will  now  present  some  histories  and  examples  from  the  holy 
scriptures,  for  the  comfort  and  encouragement  of  all  miserable, 
afflicted,  and  the  troubled  hearts  who  suffer  for  righteousness 
sake,  and  in  these  examples  all  will  be  perceived  with  clearness. 

First,  the  two  sons  of  Adam  and  Eve  were  Cain  and  Abel. 
Abel  was  a  shepherd  and  Cain  a  farmer.  In  process  of  time  it 
happened  (says  jVIoses)  that  Cain  brought  an  offering  to  the 
Lord  from  the  fruits  of  the  field,  and  Abel  brought  one  from 
the  first  of  his  flock.  And  the  Lord  regarded  Abel  and  his 
sacrifice,  but  he  looked  not  upon  Cain  and  his  gift;  therefore, 
Cain  became  very  angry,  and  his  countenance  was  distorted 
through  great  wrath,  even  as  the  ungodly  always  do,  because 
the  Lord  regards  the  pious  and  their  gifts.  Cain  spoke  deceit- 
fully to  Abel,  who  knew  not  the  malicious  bloody  heart  of 
his  brother,  saying,  ' '  Let  us  go  out, ' '  and  when  they  were  in  the 
field,  Cain's  hot,  envious  spirit  could  not  longer  be  restrained, 
and  his  blood-thirsty,  revengeful  spirit  could  not  be  hid.  That 
which  lies  concealed  in  the  heart  must  breakout  in  the  actions; 
he  arose  against  his  brother  and  in  anger  murdered  him,  be- 
cause Cain  was  of  the  evil  one  and  his  works  were  evil,  and  his 
brother's  works  were  righteous.     (1  John  3.) 

It  seems  to  me,  dear  brethren,  that  this  is  a  fair  example  and 
a  good  admonition;  for  the  righteous  always  have  been  off- 
scourings and  preys  to  the  unrighteous,  and  so  will  they  con- 
tinue to  be,  as  the  scriptures  sufficiently  testify,  and  as  daily 
experience  plainly  teaches. 

Again:  God  blessed  the  patriarch  Isaac  and  gave  him  two 
sons.    The  elder  was  Esau,  and  the  younger  Jacob.    Esau 


OP  THE  CROSS  OF  CHRIST.  285 

was  a  farmer  and  hunter,  and  had  great  pleasure  in  the  chase. 
Once  as  he  came  home  much  fatigued  he  sold  his  birthright  to 
Jacob  his  brother  for  some  food.     (Gen.  15.) 

After  this  it  happened  that  Jacob,  through  the  artifice  and 
craft  of  his  mother,  obtained  the  blessing  of  his  father  Isaac, 
by  assuming  the  name  and  appearance  of  Esau.  (Rom.  9.) 
This  was  God's  intention  and  will  to  remember  the  literal  syna- 
gogue and  the  church  of  Christ,  according  to  his  word  to  Re- 
becca; namely,  two  nations  are  in  thy  womb,  and  two  manner 
of  people  shall  be  separated  from  thy  bowels,  and  the  one 
people  shall  be  stronger  than  the  other,  and  the  elder  shall 
serve  the  younger. 

When  Esau  was  now  aware  of  this  he  wept  bitterly  and 
said:  Rightly  is  he  called  Jacob,  for  he  has  supplanted  me 
twice.  Esau  sought  the  blessing,  but  did  not  obtain  it,  for 
God  willed  it  otherwise,  as  said  above. 

Esau  became  very  angry  with  his  brother  Jacob  on  account 
of  the  blessing  with  which  his  father  had  blessed  him.  His 
malicious,  bitter  fierceness  broke  forth,  and  he  said :  The  time 
will  soon  come  that  my  father  will  repent,  for  I  will  slay  my 
brother.  Then  had  the  blessed  Jacob  to  fly  from  his  dear 
father  and  mother  before  his  wrathful  brother.  He  flew  to  a 
distant  country,  and  became  a  servant  for  twenty  years  in  the 
house  of  Laban,  who  did  not  deal  with  him  according  to  equity 
and  love.  He  dared  not  again  enter  the  land  of  his  birth,  till 
the  Lord  said  to  him:  Go  again  to  thy  native  land  and  I  will  be 
with  thee.     (Gen.  31.) 

My  dear  brethren,  obsei-ve:  for  like  as  the  patriarch  Jacob, 
on  account  of  his  external  birthright  and  blessing,  was  hated 
and  persecuted  by  his  sensual,  fierce  brother  Esau,  thus  also  it 
is  at  the  present  day  with  all  those  who  after  the  spirit  are 
called  after  the  name  of  Jacob,  ( namely,  true  Christians, )  who, 
in  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  through  the  medium  of  faith, 
tread  upon  the  devil,  world,  flesh  and  blood,  they  obtain  the 
birthrights  which  are  written  in  heaven,  and  are  blessed  through 
our  true  Isaac,  Christ  Jesus,  with  spiritual  blessings  in  heavenly 
things,  to  eternal  glory.  (Heb.  12;  Eph.  1.)  They  are  mali- 
ciously hated  and  persecuted  to  death  by  their  carnal  and  licen- 
tious brethren,  they  must  flee  from  one  land  to  another,  from 
one  city  to  another,  (Matt.  10,)  with  great  misery,  hunger  and 
distress,  in  prison  and  in  bonds,  with  stripes,  water,  fire  and 
sword,  all  the  days  of  their  lives.     (Heb.  11.) 

Thus  tyrannizes  the  fleshly  Esau  over  the  spiritual  Jacob,  on 
account  of  the  spiritual  birthright  and  blessing,  although  they 
both  are  born  of  the  same  father  Adam  from  one  mother  Eve, 
and  are  created  after  the  image  of  God. 

Saul,  the  first  king  of  Israel,  on  account  of  his  thoughts  and 


286  OF  THECKOSS  OP  CHRIST. 

disobedience,  was  rejected  by  the  Lord,  (1  Sam.  15,)  and  David 
the  son  of  Jesse  the  Bethlehemite,  was,  according  to  the  com- 
mand of  God,  taken  from  the  sheep  and  anointed  by  Samuel 
in  his  stead,  yet  he  did  not>ssume  the  government  during  the 
life  of  Saul.  The  Lord  was  with  David,  and  strengthened  his 
hands.  He  did  great  works  in  the  name  of  the  Lord ;  he  released 
the  stolen  sheep  out  of  the  mouth  of  the  lion  and  bear;  he  slew 
the  terrible  great  Goliah;  he  subdued  two  hundred  of  the  uncir- 
cumcised  of  the  Philistines.  He  acted  in  all  things  prudently, 
rightly  and  valiantly;  for  the  Lord  was  with  him.  (1  Sam.  17, 
18.  j  It  happened  when  Saul  returned  from  the  slaughter  of 
the  Philistines,  and  the  women  of  all  the  cities  of  Israel  came 
to  meet  the  king,  singing  and  rejoicing  with  all  manner  of 
stringed  instruments  and  tambours,  speaking  joyfully  one  to 
another,  Saul  hath  slain  his  thousands,  but  David  his  tens  of 
thousands,  that  this  enraged  Saul  more,  and  displeased  him.  He 
said:  They  have  given  David  ten  thousand  and  me  but  a  thou- 
sand! what  else  does  he  want  but  the  kingdom,  And  from 
that  day  forth  David  had  no  favor  with  Saul,  for  Saul  sought 
for  his  life  secretly  and^openly,  with  great  assiduity  and  craft, 
though  Saul  well  knew  the  godly  David  and  that  the  Lord  was 
with  him;  still  his  heart  burned  with  such  ill-will,  envy,  revenge 
and  blood-thristiness,  that  when  David  had  escaped,  the  good 
Abimelech  and  the  Lord's'priests  with  the  whole  city  of  Nob 
must  die  and  be  laid  in  ruins  for  David's  sake.     (3  Sam.  22.) 

He  regarded  neither  the  piety  nor  kindness,  fidelity  nor 
well-doing  of  David  towards  him  and  towards  all  Israel,  nor  the 
grace,  works  and  will  of  God,  but  became  unmindful  and 
drunken  in  his  wrath  and  envy,  so  that  the  enemies  and  be- 
trayers of  David  (1  Sam.  23,)  as  Doeg,  the  Edomite,  and  the 
Ziphites,  were  highly  regarded  and  honored  by  him,  but  the 
peace-makers  and  those  who  advised  for  good,  as  his  son  Jona- 
than, were  hated  by  him  and  held  as  suspicious.  (1  Kings  20.^ 
In  short,  David  must  take  to  flight,  and  for  some  years  fly  from 
one  land  to  another,  from  one  wilderness  to  another,  (1  Sam. 
23,  24,  25,  28,)  till  SauFwas  overcome  by  the  Philistines  upon 
Mount  Gilboa,  when  through  vain  despair  and  impatience  he 
thrust  the  sword,  which  he  had  borne  against  the  righteous  and 
innocent,  into  his  heart,  and  thus  took  his  own  life.  (Sam.  31.) 

Thus  the  almighty  Lord  and  potentate  of  all  things,  punishes 
the  haughty,  blood-thirsty  tyrants,  each  one  in  his  time,  who 
bear  the  sword  of  their  ofQce  against  God  and  his  chosen,  as 
may  be  seen  here  of  Saul  and  elsewhere  of  Pharaoh,  of  Antio- 
chus,  of  Ahab,  of  Jezebel,  of  Herod  and  others.  (Ec.  24;  2 
Mac.  6;  1  Kings  22;  2  Kings  9;  Acts  12.)  On  the  other  hand 
he  can  guard  his  chosen,  and  help  them  out  of  all  difficulties, 
how  hard  so  ever  they  may  be  pressed.     This  he  has  shown  in 


OF  THE  CKOgS  OF  CHRIST.  287 

the  deliverance  of  Israel  when  he  led  them  through  the  Red 
Sea,  and  in  preserving  David,  Helia,  Helisco,  Daniel  in  the 
Lion's  den,  and  the  three  young  men  in  the  fiery  furnace, 
(Exod.  14;  1  Sam.  23;  2  Sam.  17,  19;  2  Kings  6;  Dan.  3,  6,) 
and  in  many  other  instances. 

Here  we  have  again  a  clear  example  in  Saul's  conduct  towards 
David,  of  the  proud  self-willed  and  carnal  princes  (although 
they  wish  to  be  called  Christian  princes  and  gracious  Lords) 
who  with  vengeance  go  forth  against  the  true  David,  Christ 
Jesus,  and  against  all  his  saints,  whom  he  has  anointed  with 
the  Holy  Ghost.  Who  have  power  with  him  from  high  to  over- 
come the  terrible  infernal  bears,  lions  and  Goliahs,  hell,  sin, 
death,  the  devil,  malediction  and  the  wrath  of  God,  yet  they 
receive  no  peace  from  the  perfidious  Saul,  no  matter  how  inno- 
cent and  pious  they  may  be.  With  the  princes  no  piety, 
innocence,  prayers,  tears,  word  or  Christ,  avail.  But  as  Saul 
did  with  David,  they  pervert  and  construe  all  to  the  worst. 
This  has  ever  been  the  case,  and  according  to  my  opinion,  will 
ever  so  continue. 

Still,  my  brethren,  fear  ye  not,  for  all  your  persecutors  and 
enemies  become  old  like  a  garment,  (Ps.  102;  Isa.  51,)  however 
mighty,  glorious  and  great  they  may  be  esteemed,  for  all  flesh 
is  as  grass,  and  all  the  glory  of  the  flesh  is  as  the  flower  of  the 
grass.  (Isa.  40;  1  Pet.  2.)  But  ye  shall  flourish  and  increase 
in  God,  and  your  fruit  shall  never  more  decay,  for  the  kingdom 
of  Jerusalem  is  given  to  you,  and  the  glorious  Lord  will  have 
honor  in  you  (though  Saul  rages)  and  will  give  to  you  the  eter- 
nal kingdom,  which  he  prepared  and  set  apart  everlastingly  for 
you  and  all  the  chosen. 

Again:  Jeremiah,  the  son  of  Hilkiah,  (Jer.  1,)  a  priest  of  the 
priests  of  Anathoth,  was  sanctified  from  his  mother's  womb, 
and  was  chosen  of  God  to  be  a  prophet  and  a  seer  from  his 
youth.  ( Jer.  3,  4,  5,  6,  7,  8. )  He  rebuked  Judah  and  Benjamin 
on  account  of  their  disobedience,  stubbornness,  idolatry  and 
bloodshed.  He  taught  repentance  and  reformation:  he  prophe- 
sied of  the  promised  Messiah,  whom  he  called  the  Branch  and 
Plant  of  David.  (Jer.  23,  33.)  He  preached  the  coming  pun- 
ishment and  wrath  of  God,  namely,  the  captivity  and  destruc- 
tion of  the  kings,  the  wasting  of  the  city  and  temple,  and  the 
captivity  of  the  people  for  seven  years.    (Jer.  22,  23,  32.) 

And  these,  his  prophesies,  faithful  warnings,  visions  and 
rebukes  from  the  Lord's  mouth,  became  to  him  as  sharp, 
piercing  thorns,  for  they  cast  his  word  and  admonitions  aside, 
and  would  not  hear  them.  The  pious  prophets  and  true  servants 
of  God  must  be  regarded  as  betrayers,  factionists  and  heretics. 
The  Lord's  word  was  to  him  as  a  daily  mockery.  He  was  oft- 
times  imprisoned  and  scourged,  and  thrown  into  a  foul  pit. 


388  OF  THE  CEOSS  OP  CHRIST. 

They  counselled  concerning  his  death.  (Jer.  26,  37,  12,  20,  26, 
37,  38,  11,  18.)  He  was  so  pressed  with  the  cross,  that  he  once 
resolved  in  his  heart  to  preach  no  more  in  the  name  of  the 
Lord,  yea,  he  cursed  the  day  of  his  birth,  and  the  man  who 
brought  the  message  to  his  father  that  a  man  child  was  born. 
(Jer.  20.)  He  had  to  yield  his  ear  to  all  reproaches,  and  his 
back  to  scourging,  till  the  floods  of  trouble  burst  upon  the  har- 
dened rebellious  people,  but  alas!  they  saw  too  late,  that  Jere- 
miah was  a  right  messenger,  and  a  true  prophet  of  God. 

My  dear  brethren  in  the  Lord,  here  will  I  end  the  narratives 
from  the  Old  Testament,  for  time  will  not  suffice  to  relate  all. 
The  pious  Joseph  was  grievously  hated  by  his  brethren,  and  by 
them  was  cast  into  a  pit  and  again  drawn  out,  and  sold  to  the 
Ishmaelites,  and  was  complained  against  as  a  perfidious  adul- 
terer by  the  imchaste  wife  of  his  lord.  Though  he  was  innocent, 
yet  must  he  suffer  his  lord's  wrath,  imprisonment  and  bonds. 
The  high  renowned  evangelical  prophet  Isaiah,  under  the  tyr- 
anny of  the  bloody ',and  idolatrous  Mannaseh,  was  sawed  asunder 
with  a  wooden  saw,  as  the  historian  mentions.  The  spiritual 
prophet  Ezekiel  was  stoned  by  those  who  remained  of  Dan  and 
Gad.  Urias  of  Kirjatharim,  was  slain  with  the  sword  by  Jehoi- 
akim  the  king  of  Judah.  Zacharias  the  son  of  Barachias,  was 
stoned  between  the  temple  and  the  altar.  The  great  wonder- 
doing  prophet  Elijah  must  retreat  before  the  blood-thirsty  and 
idolatrous  Jezebel.  The  three  youth s,'Shadrach,  Meshach  and 
Abednego,  were  cast  into  the  glowing  furnace,  and  Daniel  into 
the  lion's  den.  (1  Sam.  12;  Dan.  3,  6.)  The  venerable,  pious, 
old  Eleazser,  (2  Mac.  6,  7,)  and  his  worthy,  pious  wife,  with 
their  seven  sons,  were  so  inhumanly  and  barbarously  treated  by 
the  terrible  Antiochus — they  were  murdered,  martyred  and 
destroyed. 

Brethren,  each  Christian  must  consider  that  this  is  the  only 
reward  and  crown  of  this  world,  with  which  they  reward  all  true 
servants  of  God,  who  present  to  them  in  pure  love  the  king- 
dom, word  and  will  of  God;  who  call  to  repentance  and  refor- 
mation; direct  to  salvation,  righteousness,  truth,  piety  and 
love;  (Gen.  37,)  who  are  the  golden  candlesticks  in  the  taber- 
nacle of  the  Lord,  and  flourish  and  blossom  as  the  fruitful  olive 
tree  in  the  house  of  God.  (Ps.  51.)  All  who  reflect  on  these 
and  similar  histories  and  narratives  of  the  pious  men  of  God, 
will  undoubtedly  not  despond,  but  in  all  their  miseries,  crosses 
and  sufferings,  stand  through  the  grace  of  God,  and  abide  un- 
wavering to  the  end. 

Since  I  have  now  presented  some  histories  out  of  the  holy 
scriptures,  by  which  it  will  be  seen  that  the  righteous  have  suf- 
fered and  been  persecuted,  both  before  the  law  and  during  the 
law,  I  will  now,  through  the  grace  of  God,  present  some  exam- 


OF  THE  CROSS  OF  CHKIST.  289 

pies  out  of  the  New  Testament,  by  whicli  all  may  learn]  and 
acknowledge  with  Paul :  That  all  who  live  godly  in  Christ 
Jesus  must  suffer  persecution.    (3  Tim.  3.) 

Fu'st,  John  the  Baptist,  (John  1,)  a  man  sent  of  God,  as  the 
Evangelist  testifies ;  a  burning  and  shining  light  as  Christ 
says,  and  of  whom  Isaiah  had  prophesied  a  long  time  before, 
saying:  The  voice  of  one  crying  in  the  wilderness,  prepare  the 
way  of  the  Lord  and  make  his  paths  straight,  (Isaiah  40;  Matt. 
3.)  whom  Malachi  called  the  messenger  of  the  Lord,  (Matt.  3.) 
His  birth,  greatness,  holiness,  office,  doctrines  and  works  were 
made  known  to  Zacharias,  his  father,  by  Gabriel,  the  heavenly 
messenger.  John  was  filled  with  the  Holy  Ghost  from  his 
mother's  womb.  (Johnl.)  He  preached  repentance  to  all  Judea. 
He  pointed  out  Christ,  the  Saviour  of  the  world,  and  said:  Be- 
hold the  Lamb  of  God,  who  taketh  away  the  sins  of  the  whole 
world,  (Matt.  11;  Luke  7;)  of  whom  the  son  of  God  himself 
gave  testimony,  that  he  was  no  wavering  reed,  that  he  was  not 
clothed  in  soft  raiment,  that  he  was  greater  than  a  prophet, 
that  he  was  the  promised  Elias,  that  he  came  in  the  way  of 
righteousness,  and  among  all  that  were  born  of  women,  there 
had  not  arisen  a  greater  than  he;  he  was  also  held  by  the  people 
as  a  prophet,  (Matt.  11,  21,)  yet  did  they  say:  He  hath  a  devil; 
yea,  Herod,  the  king,  cast  him  forth  as  a  profligate  vagrant, 
and  after  some  days,  the  head  of  this  holy  man  of  God  was  cut 
off  by  the  executioner,  as  a  shameful  transgressor,  on  account 
of  his  rebuking  Herod's  incest,  (Matt.  14;  Mark  6,)  and 
besides,  it  was  given  as  a  present  to  an  idle,  proud,  dancing 
maid,  and  an  unchaste  adulterous  woman. 

O  Lord!  how  lamentably  and  grievously  the  righteous  are 
destroyed  on  account  of  their  piety,  by  this  bloody,  murderous 
world,  and  no  one  takes  it  to  heart.  Yea,  they  are  so  dealt  with, 
that  it  appears  before  the  eyes  of  the  unwise  as  if  the  godly  were 
an  offence  and  an  abomination,  and  were  outlawed  and  cursed 
of  God,  and  that  they  might  neither  hope  for  nor  find,  to  all 
eternity,  comfort  or  grace  from  God.  O  no!  the  Lord  be 
blessed;  although  their  lives  may  appear  to  the  foolish  world  to 
be  but  idle  phrensy,  and  their  end  to  be  without  honor,  yet  do 
we  know  that  they  are  the  people  and  children  of  the  Lord, 
and  the  apple  of  his  eye,  that  their  blood  and  death  are  dear  to 
him,  (1  Cor.  4;  Wis.  5;  Zach.  2;  Ps.  118;  Wis.  3;  Matt.  5,) 
that  after  a  little  suffering  and  trouble  they  shall  be  recom- 
pensed with  good;  that  theirs  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven;  that 
they  will  not  be  touched  with  the  pains  of  the  second  death, 
(Wis.  3,)  but  their  precious  souls  shall  be  in  eternal  rest  and 
peace.  Yes,  my  brethren,  every  Christian  may  trust  and  rejoice 
in  the  Lord  in  all  his  trials  and  in  all  his  need. 

Again,  Stephen,  the  crowned  of  God,  a  man  full  of  faith, 

13 


290  OF  THE  CROSS  OP  CHRIST. 

power  and  tbo  IIol}^  Ghost,  who  did  great  signs  and  wonders 
among  the  people,  as  Luke  writes,  and  was  endowed  of  God  with 
such  wisdom  and  spirit,  according  to  the  promises  of  Christ, 
(Luke  21,)  that  also  his  enemies,  namely,  the  Libertines,  Cyre- 
nians  and  Alexandrians  were  silent  and  stood  abaslied  before 
him.  (Acts  6.)  As  they  saw  this,  the  spirit  of  their  fathers  dis- 
played itself  as  it  had  done  from  the  beginning;  consuming  envy 
must  use  its  artifices;  Stephen  must  lead  the  way;  they  have 
rejected  justice  and  equity;  the  men  of  Belial  they  employed  to 
belie  the  pious  Stephen,  and  say:  We  have  heard  him  speak 
blasphemous  words  against  Moses  and  against  God;  and  we 
have  heard  him  say  that  this  Jesus  of  Nazareth  shall  destroy 
this  place,  and  shall  change  the  customs  which  Moses  delivered 
us;  thus  the  serpent's  lies  overcome  justice.  They  counsel  to 
exterminate  and  root  out  the  saints.  His  own  enemies  saw  his 
countenance,  as  the  countenance  of  an  angel,  f  Acts  6.)  He 
spake  the  Lord's  word  without  fear:  he  rebuked  the  false  trust 
in  the  law  and  the  temple;  he  testified  of  Jesus  Christ  in  great 
power,  of  whom  Moses  and  all  the  prophets  prophesied.  At 
length  he  grew  very  warai  and  ardent  in  his  speech  to  the  mul- 
titude, because  they  had  ungratefully  rejected  the  merciful  visi- 
tation of  God  in  his  proffered  race.  Oh  ye  stiflf-necked!  he  said, 
and  you  uncircumcised  in  heart  and  ears,  ye  do  always  resist  the 
Holy  Ghost:  as  your  fathers  did,  so  also  do  ye.  Which  of  the 
prophets  have  not  your  fathers  persecuted?  And  they  have 
slain  them  which  shewed  before  of  the  coming  of  the  just  One; 
of  whom  you  have  been  now  the  betrayers  and  murderers;  who 
have  received  the  law  through  the  disposition  of  angels,  and 
have  not  kept  it.  And  when  they  heard  these  things  they  were 
cut  to  the  heart,  and  gnashed  on  him  with  their  teeth.  But 
Stephen  being  full  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  looked  up  steadfastly 
into  heaven  and  saw  the  glory  of  God,  and  Jesus  standing  on 
the  right  hand  of  God,  and  said:  I  see  the  heaven  opened  and 
the  Son  of  man  standing  on  the  right  hand  of  God.  (Acts  7.) 
Then  they  called  aloud  and  stopped  their  ears,  and  as  if  they 
could  not  longer  endure  the  blasphemous  words  with  which  the 
wicked  heretic  (as  they  considered  him  J  boasted,  and  with  which 
he  gave  such  honor  to  Christ,  they  rushed  upon  him  with  one 
accord  and  with  great  vehemence  and  wrath,  cast  him  out  of 
the  city  and  stoned  him ;  and  Saul  kept  the  witnesses'  clothing. 
Stephen  called  out.  Lord  Jesus,  receive  my  spirit.  He  kneeled 
down  and  cried  with  a  loud  voice  (after  the  example  of  his 
master  on  the  cross, )  Lord  lay  not  this  sin  to  their  charge ;  for 
they  know  not  what  they  do.  (Luke  23.)  And  thus  the  pious 
martyr  fell  asleep  in  the  Lord,  and  received  the  crown  of  life 
which  God  promised  to  all  those  who  fear  him  from  the  heart, 
with  all  sincerity,  and  love  and  seek  him.  (James  1;  2  Tim.  4.) 


OF  THE  CROSS  OP  CHElST.  ^91 

0!  God-feariug  reader,  obsei-ve  and  learn  to  know  by  such 
examples,  that  all  those  who  believe  the  word  of  the  Lord  with 
true  hearts,  who  become  partakers  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  who  are 
clothed  with  power  from  on  high,  (Tit.  1 ;  Acts  9,)  out  of  whose 
mouth  flow  grace  and  wisdom,  who  shame  the  world  and  rebuke 
sin,  (Acts  14;  1  Tit.  2;  2  Tim.  1;  Gal.  1,)  they  must,  with 
Stephen,  be  cast  out  of  the  city  and  stoned  with  stones. 

Dear  brethren,  pray  ardently  and  prepare  yourselves,  (1  Cor. 
2;)  through  much  misery  and  trouble  must  you  enter  into  the 
kingdom  of  heaven.  (Acts  14.)  Here  is  the  patience  and  faith 
of  the  saints.  (Rev.  13.)   O,  my  brethren,  observe. 

Again:  Paul,  a  servant  of  God,  and  an  apostle  of  Jesus 
Christ,  a  chosen  vessel,  a  champion  of  the  holy  word,  an  apos- 
tle and  teacher  of  the  Gentiles,  who  was  not  called  by  men,  but 
of  God  himself  from  heaven,  to  the  service  of  the  gospel,  was 
powerful  and  zealous  in  his  teaching,  and  unblamable  in  his  life. 
He  labored  more  than  all  the  other  apostles.  (Acts  16,  20.)  He 
cast  out  devils  in  the  Lord' s  name,  awakened  the  dead  Euty- 
chus  again  to  life,  restored  health  to  the  sick,  he  shook  off  the 
serpent  without  receiving  injury.  (Acts  28;  2  Tim.  4,  3.)  Asa 
true  prophet,  he  foretold  many  things  which  were  to  come  to 
pass  in  the  last  times;  was  taken  up  into  the  third  heaven  and 
to  the  paradise  of  God,  and  saw  such  vision  as  no  man  might 
with  propriety  speak  of.  (2  Cor.  12. )  He  was  an  infallible  leader 
in  all  righteousness,  holiness,  piety  and  virtue,  (1  Cor.  12, )  who 
sought  and  loved  not  himself,  but  God  and  his  neighbor  from 
the  whole  heart,  (Phil.  3,  4;  2  Thes.  3;)  he  had  nothing  by 
which  to  justify  himself;  he  regarded  all  gain  as  loss,  that  he 
might  win  Christ  alone,  (1  Cor.  4;)  yes,  he  dare  not  speak  of 
any  thing  but  what  Christ  had  wrought  through  him,  (Phil.  3; 
Rom.  15.)  It  availed  not  how  holy,  how  unblamable,  how  zeal- 
ous, how*  high  called,  how  powerful  or  how  devout  he  was,  yet 
must  he,  with  Simon,  the  Cyrenian,  help  to  bear  the  cross  of 
Christ.  (Matt  27;  Acts  9.)  For  as  soon  as  he  was  called  from 
heaven,  taught  and  baptized  by  Ananias,  and  had  left  off  his 
tyranny,  and  had  preached  Christ  in  Damascus,  he  had  to  be 
let  down  over  the  wall  in  a  basket  to  escape  the  snares  of  the 
blood-thirsty. 

He  was  often  imprisoned;  thrice  scourged  with  rods,  stoned 
once,  (2  Cor.  11;)  in  Ephesus  he  was  cast  to  wild  beasts,  (1 
Cor.  15;)  and  at  last,  after  inconceivable  and  innumerable  pains 
and  journeys  from  one  land  to  another,  after  enduring  much 
from  nakedness,  cold,  heat,  thirst,  hunger,  labor,  watchings, 
dangers  and  anguish,  he  was  seized  by  the  Jews  at  Jerusalem, 
(Acts  21;)  they  accused  him  before  the  judges,  swore  to  take  his 
life,  secured  him  in  Cesarea,  and  after  his  appeal  to  Caesar  he 
arrived  with  much  danger  and  shipwreck  at  Rome,  (Acts  23, 


393  OP  THE  CBOSS  OF  CHRIST. 

37,  38;)  he  stood  before  the  emperor,  and  at  last,  under  Kero, 
(the  most  blood-thirsty  of  tyrants,)  was  put  to  death  by  the 
sword.     He  offered  up  his  soul  and  surrendered  his  life. 

In  like  manner  were  the  apostles  imprisoned  and  scourged 
in  Jerusalem;  the  church  was  dispersed  and  persecuted,  and 
James  was  put  to  death  under  Herod.  (Acts  5,  8,  12.)  All 
who  desire  to  become  acquainted  with  other  narratives  besides 
those  here  noticed,  from  the  holy  scriptures,  can  read  Eusebius's 
church  history;  there  will  they  find  similar  inhuman  abomina- 
tions, tyranny,  un  mercifulness  and  falsehood  against  the  inno- 
cent; besides  such  newly  invented  sins  to  punish,  martyr,  root 
out  and  murder  the  Christians,  that  even  a  natural  man,  I  say, 
not  a  spiritual,  must  fear  and  be  astonished,  as  one  may  see  at 
the  end  of  this  Treatise. 

My  most  beloved  brethren  in  Christ  Jesus,  trust  ye  in  the 
Lord,  you  who  willingly  submit  to  the  cross  of  Christ.  For 
you  may  see  and  observe  from  the  scriptures,  in  the  above 
examples  from  the  Old  and  New  Testaments,  how  all  pious  men 
and  children  of  God,  all  the  righteous  and  prophets,  all  apostles 
and  true  witnesses  of  Christ,  yea,  Christ  himself,  (as  we  shall 
yet  hear, )  have  gone  through  this  lonesome  wilderness,  through 
this  narrow,  ignominious  and  bloody  way  of  misery,  crosses 
and  sufferings,  to  the  true  promised  land,  and  to  eternal  glory. 
(Matt.  7.) 

Yea,  this  is  the  only  narrow  and  straight  way,  and  door 
through  which  we  all  must  enter,  neither  can  we  ever  desire  in 
any  other  way  to  enter  with  the  saints  into  eternal  life,  rest  and 
peace,  as  Christ  himself  said.  (Matt.  16.)  Whosoever  will 
follow  after  me  must  deny  himself,  take  up  his  cross,  and  follow 
me.  Therefore,  dear  brethren,  you  who  have  sought,  feared 
and  loved  the  Lord,  must  suffer  and  bear  much  from  this  wicked 
and  idolatrous  race.  (Matt.  10;  Luke  12.)  Fear  not  those  who 
take  from  you  your  earthly  goods;  for  Christ  and  heaven  they 
cannot  take  from  you;  or  those  who  kill  the  body,  for  they 
cannot  kill  your  soul;  but  fear  him  who  has  power  to  cast  your 
soul  and  body  eternally  into  hell.  (Matt.  10.)  Yes,  my  brethren, 
would  you  be  the  Lord's  people  and  disciples,  so  must  you  also 
bear  the  cross  of  Christ.     This  is,  without  doubt,  the  truth. 

We  have  set  forth  to  the  reader  several  excellent  histories 
out  of  the  scriptures,  in  which  are  represented  the  tyrannical 
mind,  the  envious  heart,  the  wolfish  rage,  the  murdering  deeds 
of  this  miserable,  brutal,  murderous  and  blood-thirsty  world, 
against  the  righteous.  We  shall  now,  through  the  grace  of 
God,  notice,  for  a  short  time,  not  only  how  the  servants,  of 
whom  we  have  spoken,  suffered,  but  also  how  the  Lord  and 
Prince  himself  had  to  endure  much,  and  again  enter  into  his 
glory.     (Luke  14.) 


OF  THE  CROSS  OF  CHRIST.  293 

The  apostles  testify  abundantly  how  that  the  Lamb  of  God, 
Christ  Jesus,  the  true  head  of  all  true  believers,  (Rev.  13,)  had 
not  only  suffered  from  the  beginning,  as  above  said,  but  that  he 
must  suffer  in  these  last  times,  although  he  was  the  conqueror 
of  the  servant,  was  promised  to  Adam  and  Eve;  a  blessing 
and  benediction  to  all  people,  the  true  Shiloh,  Messiah  and 
Emanuel,  the  true  plant  of  David,  the  Lord  who  justifies  us, 
the  Prince  of  Peace,  and  the  true  Son  of  the  living  God,  whom 
all  the  true  prophets  desired.  (Gen.  46,  16;  Isa.  7,  9;  Jer.  23, 
33;  Matt.  16.) 

When  he  had  now  become  man,  according  to  the  promise  of 
the  fathers,  he  preached  repentance  and  regeneration  in  the 
full  power  of  the  spirit,  in  all  love,  righteousness,  peace,  hu- 
mility and  obedience;  the  rigid,  temble  judgment  of  God  over 
the  impenitent;  and  also  the  eternal  kingdom,  eternal  grace 
and  miercy,  the  cordial  favor  and  love  of  his  heavenly  father 
over  the  penitent.  (Rom.  9;  John  13;  Matt.  13.)  He  himself 
was  that  Word,  fulfilling  all  righteousness,  blessed  of  God  for- 
ever, the  infallible  Example,  the  eternal  Wisdom,  Love  and 
Truth,  the  brightness  of  the  divine  glory,  the  express  image  of 
his  Father,  (John  14;  Heb.  1,)  after  whom  Adam  was  created 
according  to  the  inner  man,  the  eternal  power  of  God,  the 
almighty  Word  of  God,  through  whom  all  things  were  created, 
(Gen.  1,)  and  are  governed,  and  in  whom  all  things  stand.  He 
knew  no  sin,  neither  was  deceit  found  in  his  mouth;  he  is  the 
true  light  of  eternal  life,  (John  1;  Col.  1;  1  Pet.  2;  John  1,  3, 
8,  12,)  and  by  the  darkness,  which  is  the  world,  he  is  hated, 
blasphemed,  rejected  and  despised,  as  the  most  degraded  of 
men.  (Isa.  53.)  The  king  of  kings,  the  Lord  of  lords,  became 
poorer  than  the  foxes  or  the  birds;  for  he  had  not  where  to  rest 
his  blessed  head.  (Matt.  8;  Luke  9.)  On  the  day  of  his  birth 
he  found  no  place  in  the  inn — the  manger  was  his  couch.  Even 
shortly  after  his  birth,  his  parents  had  to  fly  with  him  to  the 
land  of  Egypt.     (Matt.  2.) 

And  although  in  the  time  of  his  ministry  he  made  the  blind 
see,  and  the  deaf  hear,  the  dumb  speak,  the  leprous  he  cleansed, 
the  palsied  and  feeble  he  made  sound,  he  cast  out  devils,  restored 
the  dead,  twice  he  fed  thousands  with  a  few  loaves  and  fishes, 
(Matt.  8,  10,  12,  14,  15;  Luke  11,  18,)  and  showed  to  them  the 
works  and  service  of  pure  love.  None  would  rebuke  him  in  his 
word  or  his  life,  (John  6,  10,)  yetj  their  bloody,  envious  hearts 
burned  towards  him,  so  that  they  desired  that  the  wicked  mur- 
derer, Barabbas,  (Luke  23)  who  was  adjudged  to  death  by  the 
law,  should  live,  and  that  the  eternal  Life  itself — the  Creator 
and  Upholder  of  all  creatures,  should  die.  His  pure,  heavenly 
body,  the  seat  of  all  virtue,  is  scourged  and  abused,  the  glorious 
countenance  and  head  of  all  honor  is  disfigured  with  blood,  spit 


294  OF  THE  CROSS  OF  CHRIST. 

and  tliorns.  (Mark  15;  Jolin  14;  1  John  5.)  They  also  mocked 
him  with  a  ludicrous  garment,  so  that  even  the  heathen  judge, 
Pilate,  pitying,  said:  "Behold  the  man!"  (John  19.)  Yea, 
worthy  brethren,  it  avails  nothing,  no  pain  nor  torture,  no 
misery  was  enough:  they  would  not  be  satisfied,  till  he  was 
taken  away  and  condemned  to  the  most  shameful  death,  and 
extended  upon  the  cross,  and  his  hands  and  feet  were  nailed  to 
the  wood,  and  his  side  was  pierced  with  a  spear.  He  was  cru- 
cified as  a  prince  and  leader  of  the  vicious,  and  reckoned  among 
murderers.  Thus  they  requited  him  for  his  incomprehensibly 
great  love  and  beneficence,  and  in  his  great  bitter  thirst  in  the 
last  hour  of  his  sufferings,  he  could  not  obtain  a  drop  of  cold 
water,  but  they  gave  him  vinegar  and  gall.  In  short,  they 
treated  him  so  that  he  cried  with  a  loud  voice  to  his  Father: 
My  God!  my  God!  why  hast  thou  forsaken  me?  (Matt.  27.; 
He  also  laments  through  the  prophet:  I  am  a  worm  and  no 
man,  a  disgrace  among  men,  a  reprobate  among  the  people: 
He  might  well  sigh  and  lament  with  Jeremiah  or  Jerusalem: 
O  all  ye  who  pass  over,  see  if  there  be  any  sorrow  like  my 
sorrow.  (Sam.  1.)  Thus  he,  who  was  eternally  rich,  for  our 
sakes  became  poor;  (2  Cor.  3;  Phil.  2,)  the  eternal  glory  was 
dishonored,  the  eternal  righteousness  was  persecuted,  the  eter- 
nal truth  was  blasphemed,  the  eternal  happiness  was  rejected, 
the  eternal  blessing  was  cursed,  and  the  eternal  life  was  made 
to  suffer  a  shameful  death.  (Gal.  3.) 

Most  beloved  brethren  in  the  Lord,  obsei-ve  well,  the  laborers 
have  not  spared  their  Lord's  Son,  but  have  cast  him  out  of  the 
vineyard  and  have  slain  him,  how  much  more  shall  they  destroy 
the  servants.  (Matt.  21.)  For  they  have  called  the  master  of 
the  house,  Beelzebub,  how  much  more  shall  they  call  them  of 
his  household.  (Matt.  10.)  Christ  said,  if  they  have  persecuted 
me,  so  will  they  also  persecute  you.  And  further,  if  the  world 
hate  you,  then  shall  ye  also  know  that  it  also  hated  me  before; 
for  the  disciple  is  not  greater  than  his  master,  nor  the  servant 
than  his  lord;  but  it  is  enough  for  the  disciple  to  be  like  his 
master,  and  the  servant  to  be  like  his  lord.  (John  15;  Matt. 
10;  John  13.) 

I  hope,  worthy  brethren,  that  here,  from  these  examples,  the 
pious  may  learn  what  kind  of  a  people  it  is,  from  what  father 
they  are  born,  and  by  what  spirit  they  are  moved — who  from 
the  beginning  till  the  present  day  have  rejected  and  persecuted 
Christ,  the  holy  Lamb  of  God  and  his  people :  and  according  to 
my  understanding  of  the  scriptures,  this  tyranny  shall  not  cease 
till  the  rejected,  murdered  and  crucified  Jesus,  as  an  almighty 
potentate,  conqueror  and  glorious  king,  with  all  his  saints, 
shall  appear  in  the  clouds  before  all  the  tribes  and  people  on 
the  last  judgment.     (John  8;  Rev.  13.) 


OF  THE  CROSS  OF  CHllIST.  395 

Since  then  the  terrible  tyranny  of  this  blind  world  has  always 
thus,  in  blindness,  been  laid  upon  the  necks  of  the  children  of 
God,  and  so  will  continue  to  be  laid  to  the  end.  Besides,  there 
is  no  other  way  to  life,  than  this  narrow,  rough  and  thorny  way 
of  the  cross.  I  mean  according  to  the  flesh,  for  after  the  spirit 
it  is  broad  and  easy.  (Matt.  7.)  The  scriptures  say:  Have 
your  feet  shod  witli  the  gospel  of  peace,  with  the  precious  pro- 
mises of  God,  with  the  pure  knowledge  of  Christ,  with  the  denial 
of  yourselves,  with  the  patience  and  faith  of  the  saints,  and  with 
the  sure  hope  upon  the  kingdom  of  God.  (Eph  G;  Rev.  13; 
Rom.  8.)  Let  not  the  hard,  sharpened  thorns  of  persecutions, 
with  which  all  the  pious  are  persecuted,  terrify  you  so  as  to 
drive  you  to  the  soft  broad  way  of  the  flesh.  (Heb.  13;  Rom. 
13.)  Lay  aside  all  things  which  hinder  you — the  besetting 
sin,  the  cursed  works  of  darkness,  useless  cares,  avarice, 
pride,  haughtiness,  and  all  that  is  i)erishable,  all  drunken- 
ness and  luxury,  all  idolatry  and  idleness,  all  uncircumcised 
fleshly  words,  and  all  manner  of  wickedness,  in  order  that  you 
may  not  be  overcome,  and  turned  aside  from  the  narrow  way 
to  the  way  of  death;  as  alas!  is  too  frequently  the  case  inthete 
days. 

Therefore,  my  dear  brethren  and  sisters  in  the  Lord,  take  the 
crucified  Jesus  as  your  example  and  also  all  the  servants  of 
God — the  apostles  and  prophets,  and  learn  to  know  of  them — 
they  entered  this  narrow  path  and  left  all  behind.  For  they 
prepared  their  hearts  and  Avere  endowed  and  drawn  of  God, 
that  they  knew  nothing,  sought  nothing,  loved  nothing,  and 
desired  nothing  else  than  eternal  and  heavenly  blessings,  the 
unchangeable  things — God  and  eternal  life.  Thus  they  were 
grounded  in  ardent  love,  and  became  firm  and  immovable,  so 
that  they  could  not  be  affrighted  from  the  love  of  Christ,  neither 
by  life  nor  death,  neither  by  angel,  prince  nor  potentate,  neither 
by  hunger  nor  sword,  neither  by  martyrdom,  pain  nor  ease. 
(Rom.  8.)  Their  thoughts  and  words,  their  acts  and  sufferings, 
their  life  and  death,  were  Christ's.  (John  19.)  They  sought 
not  their  kingdom  and  rest  upon  earth,  for  they  were  spiritual 
and  heavenly-minded.  All  their  fruit  was  righteousness,  light 
and  truth.  Their  whole  lives  were  pure  love,  charity,  chastity, 
humility,  obedience  and  peace.  The  changeable  wicked  world, 
with  all  its  evil  works,  was  to  them  an  offence  and  abomina- 
tion. They  loved  their  God  with  all  their  soul,  and,  therefore, 
they  rebuked  all  that  was  against  his  glory,  will  and  holy  word. 
They  loved  their  neighbors  as  themselves,  and,  therefore,  they 
admonished  and  rebuked  them  in  love,  served  them,  pointed 
out  and  taught  them  God's  pure  will,  word  and  truth,  and 
sought  their  salvation  with  all  their  power,  with  great  loss  of 
life  and  reputation,  therefore  has  the  foolish,  envious,  unthank- 


296  OF  THE  CROSS  OF  CHRIST. 

ful  world,  wliicli  swims  in  blood,  so  grievously  hated  them  and 
rewarded  them  with  death.     (Matt.  5;  1  Cor.  4.) 

My  dear  brethren,  it  was  not  only  the  prophets,  apostles  and 
those  of  former  times,  to  whom  these  things  happened,  which 
the  scriptures  relate,  but  we,  ourselves,  may  in  these  times 
witness  the  like  with  our  own  eyes.  How  many  pious  children 
of  God  have  we  known  in  the  space  of  a  few  years,  and  we  yet 
know  some,  (the  Lord  be  praised,)  who  sought  Jesus  Christ 
and  the  eternal  unchangeable  life,  and  continue  so  to  seek,  who 
fear  God  from  their  inmost  soul,  their  hearts  burn  with  the 
word  and  love  of  the  Lord ;  out  of  their  mouths  flowed  power, 
spirit  and  wisdom.  Their  whole  life  was  repentance  and  piety — 
they  hated,  shunned  and  rebuked  all  ungodliness.  None  could 
reprove  their  conduct  with  the  word  of  God;  they  were  opposed 
to  the  world's  idle,  fleshly,  ungodly  life,  as  they  yet  are,  and  by 
the  grace  of  God  will  continue  to  be.  They  listen  not  to  the 
deceiving  jn'ophets.  (Jer.  23.)  They  confide  not  their  precious 
souls  to  the  care  of  the  spiritual  thieves  and  murderers.  (John 
10.)  They  serve  not  the  wooden,  stone  and  silver  gods.  They 
do  not  use  the  unscriptural,  earthly  sacraments,  &c.  In  short, 
because  they  heard,  believed,  feared,  served  and  loved  the  true 
living  God,  therefore,  did  the  lying  serpent  open  its  mouth  and 
spew  out  so  many  false,  inhuman  lies  into  tlie  face  of  the  pious, 
and  depict  them  in  such  horrible  colors,  through  their  blind 
disciples,  that  the  whole  world  fears  them  as  abominable;  yes, 
every  one,  who  can  slander  and  defame  the  Christian,  is  the 
world's  favorite  preacher  and  esteemed  teacher. 

No  lie  is  so  gross  and  disgraceful  that  they  dare  not  bring  it 
against  the  godly.  At  one  time  they  accuse  and  upbraid  us,  as 
though  we  wished  to  invade  cities  and  countries;  they  say  that 
we  will  injure  the  whole  world — now  we  arc  adulterers — again, 
thieves  and  murderers;  now,  say  they,  we  say  there  is  no 
repentance  left  to  the  sinner;  again,  we  have  rejected  Christ 
and  the  Testament.  In  short,  whosoever  does  not  defame  and 
upbraid  the  godly  is  not  considered  by  the  world  as  a  Chris- 
tian !  O  Lord,  how  pure  and  free  are  all  the  saints  in  heart  and 
conscience  before  God  of  all  these  lies  and  slanders. 

And  these  unchristian  lies  are  not  enough  for  the  world,  but 
they  who  know  Christ,  and  would  gladly  live  after  his  word, 
must  endure  something  harder  ;  they  must  meet  with  severer 
persecution,  as  we  may  witness  with  our  own  eyes,  for  how 
many  pious  children  of  God,  have  they  in  a  few  years  deprived 
of  their  possessions,  and  caused  their  goods  to  be  confiscated, 
for  the  testimony  of  God  and  their  conscience  sake.  How  many 
have  they  betrayed,  how  many  have  they  driven  out  of  city  and 
country,  and  put  them  to  the  stocks  and  torture;  the  poor 
orphans  and  children  are  left  naked  in  the  streets;  some  have 


OF  THE  CKOSS  OF  CHRIST.  297 

they  hanged,  some  they  punished  with  inhuman  tyranny,  they 
afterwards  choked  them  with  cords  on  stocks  and  pillars;  some 
they  roasted  and  burned  alive ;  some  with  their  own  reeking 
bowels  in  their  hands  powerfully  confessed  the  word  of  God. 
Some  they  slew  with  the  sword  and  gave  them  as  food  to  the 
fowls  of  the  air;  some  they  cast  forth  to  the  wild  beasts,  some 
have  their  houses  torn  down,  some  have  been  cast  into  the 
muddy  bogs,  some  have  had  their  feet  cut  off,  one  of  whom  I 
have  seen  and  conversed  with.  Others  wander  about  here  and 
there,  in  hunger  and  affliction,  in  mountains,  holes  and  caves 
of  the  earth,  as  Paul  says:  They  must  fly  with  their  small  chil- 
dren and  their  wives,  from  one  country  to  another,  from  one  city 
to  another.  (Matt.  10.)  They  are  hated,  upbraided  and  belied 
by  all  men,  and  spoken  against  in  the  pulpit  and  the  councils, 
(Matt.  5;)  they  have  deprived  them  of  food — have  driven  them 
forth  in  the  cold  winter,  and  point  at  them  with  the  finger  of 
scorn,  yea,  whoever  can  slander  a  poor  oppressed  Christian  sup- 
poses he  has  done  God  some  service,  as  Christ  said.    CJohn  16.) 

Observe,  dear  brethren,  how  far  the  whole  world  is  from  God 
and  his  word,  how  swift  their  feet  are  to  shed  blood,  how  mali- 
ciously they  hate  the  light,  (Isa.  52;  Rom.  3;  John  3,)  and  how 
bitterly  they  persecute  the  eternal  truth — the  immaculate  gospel 
of  Jesus  Christ,  the  pious  godly  life  of  the  saints.  This  is  not 
only  done  by  the  papists  and  Turks,  but  by  those  who  boast 
of  the  holy  word,  who  preached  much  concerning  faith,  that 
faith  was  the  gift  of  God,  (Eph.  2,)  that  it  must  not  be  forced 
with  the  iron  sword,  but  with  the  word,  into  the  hearts  of  men, 
for  it  is  a  willing  assent  of  the  heart. 

But  the  learned,  within  the  last  few  years,  have  suppressed 
this  doctrine,  and  as  it  appears  to  me,  have  effaced  it  from  their 
books,  for  lately  they  draw  unto  their  sensual  doctrine,  lords, 
princes,  cities  and  countries;  they  have  preached  the  contrary 
from  what  they  did  formerly,  as  is  evident  from  their  writings. 
By  their  seditious  writings  and  preachings  they  deliver  into  the 
hands  of  executioners  many  pious  hearts,  who  gainsay,  reprove 
and  admonish  them,  by  the  clear  word  of  God  and  the  gospel, 
and  point  out  to  them  the  true  ground  of  the  gospel,  which  is 
powerful,  active  faith,  which  works  by  love,  a  penitent  new  life, 
obedience  to  God  and  Christ,  and  the  true  evangelical  ordi- 
nances of  baptism,  Lord's  supper  and  Separation,  as  Christ 
himself  instituted  and  commanded,  and  his  holy  apostles  prac- 
ticed and  taught.  (Gal.  5;  Matt.  26,  28;  Mark  14,  16;  Luke 
22;  1  Cor.  5,  10;  2  Thess.  3.) 

Yea,  all  who  do  this  out  of  pure  love,  must  be  accursed  as 
anabaptists,  factionists,  deceivers  and  heretics,  all  the  pious 
may  expect  this,  nevertheless,  they  still  want  to  be  called  the 
Christian  community,  and  be  esteemed  the  holy  church,  whether 

*13 


398  OF  THE  CROSS  OF  CHRIST. 

lords  or  princes,  preachers  or  theolo2:ians.  The  common  people, 
whether  papists,  Lutherans  or  Zuinglians,  never  take  notice 
of  their  gross,  ungodly,  lazy  and  impenitent  lives,  that  they  are 
altogether  earthly,  sensual,  and  contrary  to  the  word  of  God. 
There  are  some  from  whose  hands  trickle  the  blood  of  Chris- 
tians, and  all  their  doings  are  diametrically  opposed  to  the  spirit, 
word,  and  example  of  Christ.  O  !  that  these  blind,  hardened 
ones  would  lay  this  well  to  heart,  and  examine  well  the  true 
nature  and  spirit  of  Christianity  !  They  would  be  ashamed 
before  God,  and  cordially  lament  that  they  so  miserably  abuse 
his  glorious  name,  his  blessed  word,  his  divine  grace,  his 
crimson,  precious  blood,  of  which  they  vainly  boast,  and  thus 
make  the  name  of  Christ  as  a  cover  to  all  their  wickedness  and 
disgrace. 

For  a  truly  believing  Christian  is  one  that  is  born  of  God 
according  to  the  spirit,  has  become  a  new  creature  in  Christ, 
crucified  his  flesh  with  its  lusts,  and  cordially  hates  the  old, 
sinful  life.  (John  1;  2  Cor.  5.  Gal.  5,  6;  Rom.  13.)  All  his 
fruits  are  righteousness,  patience,  truth,  obedience,  humility, 
chastity,  love,  grace  and  peace;  he  is  influenced  by  the  spirit  of 
the  Lord,  and  his  delight  is  in  the  law  of  the  Lord;  he  meditates 
thereon  by  day  and  by  night,  all  his  words  are  seasoned  by 
grace;  he  strives  for  the  life  which  is  from  God.  He  fears  God 
with  all  his  soul.  (Rom.  8;  Ps.  1;  Col.  4;  Phil.  2.)  In  short, 
according  to  the  grace  received,  he  is  of  one  mind  with  Christ. 

Could  these  only  see  that  a  Christian  is  thus  minded,  as  rela- 
ted, that  he  is  such  an  amiable  person  and  child  of  God  (and  if 
they  had  the  grace,  they  also  would  be  thus  minded,)  they 
would  then  hate  none,  but  would  be  hated  ;  they  would  belie 
none,  but  they  would  be  belied;  they  would  prejudge  none,  but 
would  be  prejudged;  they  would  betray  none,  but  be  betrayed; 
they  would  rob  none,  but  be  robbed;  they  would  not  murder, 
but  be  murdered  ;  they  would  not  devour  the  lamb,  but  be  torn 
of  wolves  ;  not  ensnare  the  dove,  but  be  taken  by  the  falconer 
and  devoured. 

Are  our  persecutors  Christians,  as  they  imagiiie?  Why  are 
they  then  not  of  God  and  born  of  his  word  ?  Why  are  they  yet 
the  old  accursed  creature,  and  live  according  to  the  lusts  of  the 
flesh?  Why  are  they  influenced  by  the  spirit  of  the  devil.  And 
why  have  they  fixed  their  thoughts  and  affections  upon  perish- 
able and  temporal  things,  and  are  concerned  therewith  day  and 
night  ?  Why  are  they  guilty  of  talking  of  all  manner  of  un- 
chastity,  vanity,  lying,  cursing  and  swearing?  Why  do  they  not 
fear  God  and  his  word  ?  Why  are  they  like  the  old  deceitful 
serpent,  and  obedient  to  him?  And  why  are  they  still  like 
terrible,  ravenous  beasts  and  birds  of  prey,  instead  of  innocent 
lambs  and  doves,  as  the  scriptures  teach  ? 


OF  THE  CEOSS  OF  CHBIST.  299 

All !  dear  brethren,  let  them  boast  as  they  will,  Christ  Jesus 
does  not  know  such  wicked  and  blood-thirsty  Christians.  (Rom. 
8.)  He  only  knows  those  having  his  spirit,  who  cordially  be- 
lieve and  who  are  obedient  to  him  ;  who  are  flesh  of  his  flesh, 
and  bone  of  his  bone,  (Matt.  5;  Mark  8,)  who  are  meek,  hum- 
ble, pious,  holy  and  pure  of  heart,  who  confess  Christ  Jesus,  in 
word  and  deed  before  this  wicked  world,  who  deny  themselves 
and  take  up  the  cross  and  follow  him.  (Matt.  10.)  Who  say 
with  holy  Paul,  (Rom.  8.)  Who  shall  separate  us  from  the 
love  of  God  ?  They  glory  in  nothing  but  in  the  cross  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by  which  they  are  dead  to  the  world  and 
the  world  unto  them.  (Gal.  6.)  All  who  are  thus  minded,  are 
the  anointed  of  God  and  Christ,  and  not  the  impenitent,  sen- 
sual, blood-thirsty  boasters.  Every  one  may  be  mindful  of  us, 
that  this  is  true,  else  the  whole  scriptures  are  false. 

It  appears  to  me,  dear  brethren,  that  the  pious  reader  may 
fully  understand  from  what  has  been  said,  what  kind  of  people 
these  are,  who  so  shamefully  tread  you  with  their  feet,  strike 
you,  belie  you,  and  deprive  you  of  life  and  property.  Why  do 
they  so  ?  It  is  on  account  of  your  testimony  of  God  and  your 
consciences,  even  as  all  from  the  beginning  who  sought, 
feared  and  loved  the  Lord,  and  reproved  the  world,  were  es- 
teemed as  oif-scourings  and  heretics. 

We  will  now  proceed  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  and  show 
with  few  words  what  a  feeble  and  unbecoming  excuse  our  per- 
secutors advance,  (which  bef(U'e  God  is  as  stubble  before  fire,) 
whereby  they  think  to  excuse  themselves,  that  they  are  doing 
right  to  slander  and  abuse  the  pious  ;  for  all  sinners  seek  some 
excuse  ;  and  no  matter  how  disgracefully  soever  any  one  con- 
duct himself,  he  wishes  not  to  be  considered  as  wicked  but  as 
a  true  Christian  ! 

In  the  first  place,  our  persecutors  accuse  us  as  seditious, 
even  as  those  of  Munster  arc,  that  we  are  not  subject  to  the 
magistracy. 

To  which  we  reply,  in  the  first  place  :  That  the  Munsterites 
were  seditious,  and  in  many  things  acted  contrary  to  the  word 
of  God.  But  we  do  not  agree  with  them.  For  we  are  wholly 
opposed  to,  and  disapprove  of  these  seditious  abominations, 
such  as  resisting  the  king,  seeking  for  a  kingdom,  taking  hold 
of  the  sword,  polygamy,  acting  the  hypocrite  with  the  world 
and  the  like  guilt;  we  neither  eat  nor  drink,  nor  have  any  com- 
munion with  those  who  do  such  things,  according  to  the  doe- 
trine  of  Christ  and  Paul,  unless  they  cordially  renounce  their 
errors  and  become  sound  in  the  saving  doctrine  of  Christ. 
CMatt.  28;  1  Cor.  5;  2  John  1.) 

As  the  Papists  and  Lutherans  are  not  a  little  divided,  so  we 
are  more  divided  in  our  views,  from  the  Munsterites  and  other 


300  OP  THE  CEOSS  OF  CHRIST. 

sects  which  sprung  from  them.  That  this  is  the  truth,  we  have 
shown  by  our  writings,  life,  and  oral  testimony,  before  lords, 
princes  and  the  whole  world;  and  it  has  been  testified  by  the 
blood  of  many  pious  Christians,  which  flowed  like  water,  in 
many  countries,  for  many  years,  to  the  present  time. 

But  we  cannot  help  that  the  world  will  not  believe  this. 
Neverthless,  we  testify  that  our  hearts  and  consciences  are 
pure  and  free  before  God,  of  all  sedition,  hatred,  vengeance 
and  thirst  for  blood  ;  and  we  strive  earnestly  to  live  as  much  as 
possible,  in  peace  with  all  men,  according  to  the  doctrine  of 
Paul,  (Rom.  12,)  and  if  it  is  not  possible  for  us  to  keep  peace 
with  them,  still  we  do  not  desire  to  avenge  ourselves,  but  we 
will  commit  it  to  him;  who  says  :  To  me  belongeth  vengeance 
and  recompense.  (Deut.  34.)  And  we  commit  to  him  alone 
all  our  concerns,  as  Jeremiah  and  all  the  pious  did  from  the 
beginning.  (Jer.  11.) 

In  the  second  place,  we  reply  :  Why  do  they  so  indiscreetly 
accuse  us  of  such  sedition,  since  v/e  are  wholly  innocent  and 
clear,  and  they  pay  no  attention  to  their  own  bloody,  murder- 
ing uproar,  which  they,  alas  !  commit  without  bounds?  O  Lord! 
how  many  principalities,  cities  and  countries  have  they  de- 
stroyed and  desolated!  how  many  houses  have  they  fired;  how 
many  hundred  thousand  have  they  murdered!  how  many  a  poor 
innocent  man  have  they  robbed  of  his  possessions  and  destroyed! 
how  many  women  and  virgins  did  they  disgrace;  what  brutal 
and  inhuman  tyranny  did  they  do  and  continue  daily  to  practice 
— all  this  they  do  not  notice — it  must  be  said;  all  is  right  and 
well  done.  Ah  !  how  well  docs  this  accord  with  the  doctrine, 
nature  and  spirit  of  Christ !  fMatt.  28;  1  Cor.  14.)  How  badly 
this  accords  with  the  disposition  of  innocent  children,  whom 
Christians  must  resemble  in  malice  ;  or  defenceless  lambs  and 
innocent  doves,  to  which  the  scriptures  direct  us.  If  the  tem- 
poral magistracy  have  not  the  disposition  and  spir^;  of  Christ, 
then  must  all  acknowledge  that  they  are  not  Christians. 

I  am  well  aware,  that  these  tyrants,  who  boast  themselves 
Christians,  justify  their  abominable  warring,  uproar  and  shed- 
ding of  blood,  by  referring  us  to  Moses,  Joshua,  &c.  And  do 
not  reflect  that  Moses  and  his  successors  have  served  their  day, 
and  that  Christ  has  iioic  given  us  a  new  command  and  given  us 
another  sioord.  (Matt.  10;  John  3;  Eph.  6;  Rom.  13.)  I  do 
not  speak  of  the  sword  of  the  judge,  for  that  is  quite  different; 
but  I  speak  respecting  war  and  sedition.  (2  Pet.  2.)  And 
they  do  not  reflect,  that  they  bear  the  sv/ord  of  war,  contrary  to 
the  gospel,  and  that  they  bear  it  against  their  own  brethren, 
namely,  against  their  bi-ethren  of  the  faith,  who  have  received 
the  same  baptism  with  them,  and  break  the  same,  bread  with 
them,  and  are  thus  members  of  the  same  body.     Again,  what 


OF  THE  CROSS  OF  CHRIST.  301 

strange,  bloody  uproar  tjie  Lutherans  made  for  several  years,  to 
introduce  tlieir  doctrine;  yet  have  we,  although  innocently,  to 
be  called  the  seditious  Tieretics  and  they,  pious,  peaceable 
Christians!  Behold,  thus  lamentably,  is  their  understanding  of 
the  work  darkened.  Well  then!  let  them  deal  with  us  as  they 
think  proper,  the  merciful,  gracious  Father  will  preserve  us 
from  such  abominable  disturbances  as  the  Munsterites  have 
caused,  and  which,  alas!  ai-e  yet  in  vogue  among  the  supposed 
Christians;  for  we  have,  by  the  grace  of  God,  beaten  our  swords 
into  plough  shares,  and  our  spears  into  pruning  hooks;  (Isa.  2; 
Mich.  4;)  and  we  shall  sit  under  the  true  vine,  Christ,  under 
the  prince  of  eternal  peace,  and  will  never  take  part  in  bloody 
wars. 

In  the  third  place,  we  reply:  That  we  know  and  use  no  other 
sword  than  that  which  Christ  himself  brought  down  from 
heaven.  (Matt.  10,)  and  which  the  apostles  used  with  power 
and  spirit;  which  proceeds  from  the  mouth  of  the  Lord — the 
sword  of  the  spirit,  (Eph.  6,)  which  is  sharper  than  any  sword, 
having  two  edges,  (Rev.  1,)  piercing  even  to  -the  dividing 
asunder  of  soul  and  spirit,  and  of  the  joints  and  marrow,  and 
is  a  discerner  of  the  thoughts  and  intents  of  the  heart.  With 
this,  and  with  no  other  sword,  do  we  desire  to  destroy  the  king- 
dom of  the  devil,  to  reprove  all  wickedness,  and  to  preach 
righteousness,  to  raise  the  father  against  the  son,  the  'son 
against  the  father;  the  mother  against  the  daughter,  and  the 
daughter  against  the  mother,  &c.^  (Matt.  10.)  In  such  a  way, 
even  as  Jesus  Christ,  the  holy  apostles  and  the  prophets  did  in 
the  world.  I  do  not  here  mean  the  prophets  Elias  and  Samuel, 
CI  Kings  18;  1  Sam.  15,)  understand  me  rightly,  who  also  used 
the  sword;  but  I  mean  the  prophets  Isaiah,  Jeremiah,  Zacha- 
rias,  Amos,  &c.,  who  only  reproved  with  doctrine  and  not 
otherwise. 

That  is  the  sword  we  bear;  and  we  will  lay  it  down  for  none, 
neither  for  emperor,  nor  king,  nor  other  authorities.  For  Peter 
says:  We  ought  to  obey  God  rather  than  men.  (Acts  5.)  He 
that  committed  us,  we  must  serve,  whether  we  chance  to  live 
or  die,  as  it  may  please  God. 

That  the  world  is  now  ascribing  to  us  this  uproar  for  the 
pure  love  which  we  manifested  toward  them  we  must  endure, 
as  did  our  forefathers.  Art  thou  not  he,  said  Ahab  to  Elijah, 
that  troubleth  Israel  ?  The  prophet  answered :  I  have  not 
troubled  Israel;  but  thou  and  thy  father's  house.  Jeremiah, 
on  account  of  his  faithful  warning  and  salutary  admonition, 
was  regarded  by  them  as  a  mutineer,  rebel  and  heretic.  Paul 
and  the  apostles  were  cast  into  prison  as  deceivers  and  re- 
bellious, and  finally  had  to  suifer  martyrdom.  If  the  world 
could  pass  a  true  sentence,  they  would  well  perceive,  that 


302  OF  THE  CKOSS  OF  CHRIST. 

Christ  and  his  followers  were  not  tumultuous  towards  the 
world,  but  the  world  towards  them.  And  so  also  we,  who  are 
not  tumultuous  towards  any  one,  but  all  are  against  us,  they 
tyrannize  and  rave  as  may  be  seen. 

Again,  that  we  are  opposed  to  the  magistracy  in  the  things 
to  which  they  are  ordained  of  God,  is  not  true,  understand  me, 
in  lawful  things;  as  giving  of  toll,  tribute,  and  paying  taxes, 
&c.  (Rom.  13;  1  Pet  2.)  But  that  they  are  to  rule  and  lord 
over  our  consciences,  contrary  to  the  spirit  of  Christ,  as  they 
please,  to  this  we  do  not  consent,  but  we  will  sacrifice,  posses- 
sions and  life,  rather  than  sin  against  Jesus  Christ  and  his  holy 
word  for  any  man's  sake,  whether  he  be  emperor  or  king. 

That  we  are  not  wrong,  but  right  in  this  respect,  the  scrip- 
tures abundantly  testify;  and  therefore,  with  pious  Susan,  we 
wish  rather  to  obey  God  than  man,  (Dan.  13,)  and  thus  fall 
into  the  hands  of  men,  rather  than  into  the  hands  of  God. 
May  the  gracious  Father,  through  his  blessed  Son  Jesus 
Christ,  grant  to  this  deaf,  blind  world  ears  to  hear,  and  eyes 
to  see,  that  they  may  be  converted  and  be  eternally  saved. 

In  the  third  place  we  are  without  cause  accused  hard :  That 
we  are  stubborn,  selfish  and  unconverted  persons,  who  will  by 
no  means  suffer  ourselves  to  be  taught  or  instructed. 

To  which  we  reply,  first:  If  this  accusation  even  were  true, 
it  is  still  very  unbecoming  for  our  persecutors,  to  exterminate 
or  harm  us,  because  they  would  be,  or  boast  themselves  Chris- 
tians, for  the  punishment  of  the  wicked  will  be  eternal,  as  the 
scriptures  testify.   (Mark  16;  John  3.) 

All  men,  says  Paul,  have  not  faith,  but  it  is  a  gift  of  God .  (2 
Thes.  1 ;  cph.  3. )  Now  if  it  is  a  gift,  it  may  not  be  enforced 
by  worldly  power,  nor  sword,  but  it  must  by  means  of  the  pure 
doctrine  of  the  holy  scripture,  in  conjunction  with  the  ardent 
prayer  of  humility,  be  apprehended,  by  the  grace  of  God, 
through  the  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  (Rom.  10;  Matt.  13.) 
Moreover,  it  is  not  the  will  of  the  householder  that  the  tares 
be  rooted  up,  until  the  time  of  harvest;  as  is  clearly  evinced  in 
the  parable. 

Now,  if  our  persecutors  were  Christians,  as  they  suppose, 
and  if  they  considered  the  Lord's  word  as  true,  why,  do  they 
not  hear,  iind  follow  the  word  and  commendment  of  Christ  ? 
Why  do  they  root  up  the  tares  before  the  time  ?  Why  are  they 
not  afraid,  lest  they  root  up  the  good  wheat,  and  not  the  tares? 
(Matt.  12,)  why  do  they  arrogate  to  themselves  the  duty  of  the 
angels,  who,  at  the  proper  time,  shall  bind  the  tares  in  bundles, 
and  cast  them  into  the  furnace  of  everlasting  fire  ? 

Since,  by  our  belief  or  unbelief,  (unbelief  it  must  ever  be,  if 
their  assertions  are  true,)  we  injure  no  man  upon  earth;  justice 
demands,  that  they  should  commit  us  with  our  belief  or  unbelief 


OF  THE  CROSS  OV  CHRIST.  303 

to  the  Lord  alone,  and  his  judgment,  who,  in  the  fuUness  of  time, 
will  judge  all  things  in  righteousness,  and  that  they  should  not, 
like  savage  pagans,  pursue  us  with  the  sword  of  destruction. 
The  true  disposition  of  a  pious  and  sincere  Christian,  is  to  lead 
poor,  wandering  sinners  to  repentance,  and  not  to  destroy  them, 
as  these  men  do.  (Matt.  9.)  In  regard  to  all  those  who  evidence 
a  contrary  spirit,  it  is  an  easy  matter  for  any  intelligent  Chris- 
tian, to  show  from  the  scriptures  what  father  they  are  children  of. 

Again,  we  reply,  that  we  are  prepared,  in  every  way,  even 
unto  death,  for  the  reception  of  all  sound  doctrine,  admonition, 
instruction,  and  chastening,  in  righteousness;  we  spare  no  labor, 
pains,  nor  expense,  if  we  can  only  obtain  faithful  stewards  to 
dispense  bread  to  us  in  proper  season;  for  our  souls  hunger 
after  the  living  bread,  and  our  spirits  thirst  for  the  living  water. 
(Matt.  24;  John  6.)  All  who  are  qualified  rightly  to  break  the 
former,  and  pour  out  the  latter,  we  desire  to  hear  with  devoted- 
ness  of  heart,  and  to  live  in  obedience  to  their  doctrine.  (John 
4,7.) 

But  the  leaven  of  the  Pharisees  and  Sadducees,  the  lies  and 
deceivings  of  false  prophets,  the  stealing  and  outrages  of  thieves 
and  murderers,  we  will  have  nothing  to  do  with,  let  what  may 
happen  by  divine  permission.  Thank  God,  we  have  tasted  the 
heavenly  bread,  (John  10,)  hence,  we  have  become  heartily 
tired  of  the  leaven  and  husks  of  the  learned ;  we  drink  the  pure 
water,  the  impure  we  leave  for  them;  we  received  the  truth  and 
rejected  lies;  the  light  hath  shined  upon  us,  there  is  no  more 
place  for  darkness.  (Luke  15;  Ezek.  34;  John  1.)  In  short, 
we  have  found  Christ,  the  true  Messiah,  his  saving  word,  his 
pure  ordinance,  and  his  holy,  and  unblamable  life,  (according  to 
the  gift  of  grace  within  us,)  and  as  a  consequence,  have  turned 
away  from  Antichrist,  with  the  confident  hope  that  we  will 
never  more  observe,  or  make  use  of,  his  ordinance  of  infant 
baptism,  and  idolatrous  supper,  nor  ever  be  reconciled  to  his 
odious,  carnal  and  ungodly  life. 

If  in  this  matter  we  do  wrong  and  transgress,  in  the  presenre 
of  God,  and  before  his  community,  as  they  imagine,  then  must 
the  fathers  and  the  scriptures  have  miserably  betrayed  us.  But 
no,  the  word  of  God  is  truth ;  and  the  truth  shall  abide  forever, 
even  though  the  whole  world  be  offended.     (John  17.^ 

And  because  we  dare  not  again  take  part  in  their  false  doc- 
trine, pretended  sacraments,  idolatry,  false  worship,  and  in  their 
shameful,  wicked  and  ungodly  life;  because  by  the  spirit  of 
God,  by  the  evidence  of  the  scriptures,  and  by  the  witness  of 
our  own  consciences  we  have  turned  away  from  such;  therefore, 
must  we  be  called  stubborn,  selfish  and  obstinate,  and,  alas ! 
must  be  to  all  men  heretics,  spoils  and  derision. 

I  hope,  beloved  brethren,  that  such  absurd  accusations  may 


304  OP  THE  CROSS  OP  CHRIST. 

never  dismay  the  hearts  of  the  pious,  nor  render  them  faint, 
inasmuch  as  they  are  entirely  destitute  of  foundation;  while 
we,  on  the  contrary,  have  the  whole  scripture,  together  with 
prophets,  apostles,  saints,  nay,  Christ  Jesus  himself;  all  of 
whom  in  truth  and  righteousness  remained  steadfast  and  im- 
movable, even  unto  death,  in  their  opposition  to  all  false 
doctrine,  torture  and  tyranny,  and  did  not,  in  a  single  point, 
agree  with,  or  consent  to,  their  ungodly  deeds,  neither  in  heart, 
speech,  nor  behavior. 

Ought  we  then  to  reject  the  heavenly  light,  and  embrace  the 
darkness  of  condemnation?  Forsake  eternal  truth,  and  ever- 
lasting life  ?  Follow  after  lies,  and  pursue  death,  for  the  sake 
of  a  little  perishable  wealth,  and  a  half  hour's  enjoyment  of 
temporal  life  ?  If  so,  it  would  be  better  for  us  that  we  had 
never  been  born.  From  a  contingency  so  dreadful,  it  is  our 
firm  hope,  that  God,  by  his  boundless  love,  will  ever  preserve 
and  protect  us. 

In  the  third  place  we  answer:  That  we  sincerely  detest  and 
abhor  such  teaching  and  conversion,  as  oiir  persecutors  would 
make  use  of,  in  order  to  instruct  and  convert  us;  for  their  end 
is  death,  according  to  the  testimor.y  of  the  whole  scriptures; 
the  reason  is,  that  their  doctrine  is  false  and  deceptive,  their 
sacraments  are  idolatrous  and  contrary  to  the  word  of  God; 
their  worship  is  sheer  idolatry,  and  their  whole  life  is  earthly, 
sensual,  and  contrary  to  the  word  of  God;  as  may  be  seen, 
(James  3,)  yea,  they  are  a  people  of  whom  we  may  justly  testify 
as  they  do  of  us,  namely:  This  is  a  stift-necked,  seditious,  un- 
converted people,  whose  hearts  are  harder  than  diamond,  a  peo- 
ple who  know  not  their  God,  as  the  prophet  speaks  of  Israel, 
saying:  The  ox  knoweth  his  owner,  and  the  ass  his  master's 
crib;  but  Israel  doth  not  know,  my  people  doth  not  consider. 
(Isa.  1.) 

Ah,  sinful  nation!  a  people  laden  with  iniquity,  a  seed  of  evil- 
doers, children  that  are  corrupters!  they  have  forsaken  the 
Lord,  they  have  provoked  the  Holy  One  of  Israel  unto  anger, 
they  are  gone  away  backward;  they  hold  fast  to  deceit,  says 
Jeremiah,  they  refuse  to  return.  I  hearkened  and  heard,  says 
he,  but  they  spake  not  aught:  no  man  repenteth  him  of  his 
wickedness,  saying:  What  have  I  done?  Every  one  turned  to 
his  course  as  the  horse  rusheth  into  battle.  Yea,  the  stork  in 
the  heavens  knoweth  her  appointed  times;  and  the  turtle,  and 
the  crane,  and  the  swallow,  observe  the  time  of  their  coming: 
but  my  people  know  not  the  judgment  of  the  Lord.  (Jer.  8.) 
And  more  passages  of  a  siniilar  nature. 

Like  John  the  Baptist,  one  might  well  rebuke  them,  and  say: 
Bring  forth  fruits  meet  for  repentance,  and  say  not  that  you 
are  Christians,  as  the  Pharisees  said  they  had  Abraham  for 


OF  THE  CROSS  OF  CHRIST.  305 

theii'  father;  for  such  perverse,  sensual  Christians  Godknoweth 
not:  the  axe  is  laid  unto  the  root  of  the  tree,  (Matt.  3,^  there- 
fore, every  tree  that  bringeth  not  forth  good  fruit  is  hewn  down 
and  cast  into  the  fire.  Drunkards,  says  Paul,  (Rom.  1;  1  Cor. 
6;  Gal.  5;  Eph.  5,)  covetous,  envious,  proud,  idolaters,  adul- 
terers and  fornicators,  shall  not  inherit  the  kingdom  of  God; 
hence,  in  the  spirit  of  commiseration,  we  may  aptly  say  to  our 
persecutors,  who  are  still  sucli:  Reform,  for  alas!  princes, 
rulers,  learned,  unlearned,  citizens,  countrymen,  husband  and 
wife,  all  on  every  hand,  have  become  degenerate,  walking  in  the 
accursed  fruits  of  profanity  and  ungodhness;  they  reject  God 
and  his  word:  they  grieve  the  Holy  Spirit;  they  persecute  the 
righteous  and  pious;  the  fear  and  love  of  God  are  an  abomina- 
tion to  them;  yet  to  such  as  walk  in  the  way  of  truth,  die  unto 
flesh  and  blood,  are  heaVenly  and  spiritually  minded,  with 
sincerity  of  heart  seek  Christ  Jesus  and  the  imperishable  ever- 
lastinglife,  they  say:  Reform,  be  instructed — with  similar  ex- 
pressions, just  as  if  we  had  the  lies,  and  they  the  truth;  though 
according  to  the  gift  imparted  to  us,  we  love  and  seek  the  Lord 
cordially;  but  what  they  do,  I  leave  it  to  any  intelligent  Chris- 
tian to  decide. 

Moreover,  even  they  themselves  demonstrate  that  the  fniits 
and  ardent  charity  of  our  members  far  exceed  and  surpass  that 
of  theirs,  (Deut.  4,  43,)  nevertheless,  we  have  to  be  looked  upon 
as  deceived,  selfish,  obstinate,  and  unconverted  heretics,  while 
they  are  considered  the  real,  spiritually  anointed  Christians,  the 
truly  legitimate  children  of  God. 

Now,  dear  brethren,  judge  by  this  how  puerile  and  nonsensi- 
cal is  the  excuse  of  the  world,  with  regard  to  their  tyrannical 
proceedings,  and  how  indiscreetly  and  childishly  we  are  accused 
by  them.  0!  it  is  our  heart's  desire,  that  all  our  predecessors 
may  receive  from  the  Lord  grace  unto  repentance.  For  it  is 
high  time  that  they  awake  and  turn  to  the  Lord. 

Again,  our  persecutors  bring  in  an  excuse,  saying  it  is  right 
that  we  should  be  persecuted;  because  by  us  many  men  are  de- 
plorably misled,  and  brought  to  destruction. 

To  this  we  reply:  That  if  the  case  is  examined,  and  sentence 
passed  upon  it,  according  to  the  flesh,  it  does  appear  that  many 
are  miserably  deceived  by  us,  for  all  those  who  follow  our  doc- 
trine, faith,  life,  and  confession,  in  obedience  and  power,  must 
bring  into  jeopardy  all  which  they  have  received  from  God, 
character,  reputation,  land,  house,  gold,  silver,  father,  mother, 
sister,  brother,  husband,  wife,  son,  daughter,  yea,  life  itself. 
The  finger  of  scorn  will  generally  be  pointed  at  them;  they  shall 
be  trampled  under  feet,  hated  of  all  men,  slandered  and  cal- 
lumniated,  betrayed,  and  delivered  up  unto  death;  gallows, 
racks,  offensive  pools,  stocks  and  swords,  as  also  hunger,  thirst, 


306  OF  THE   CROSS  OF   CHRIST. 

want,  toil,  affliction,  distress,  anxiety,  nakedness,  tribulation, 
sorrow,  buffeting,  bonds  and  imprisonment,  must  be  their  por- 
tion and  recompense  here  uj^on  eartli ;  no  man  may  administer 
unto,  or  befriend  them,  but  at  the  risk  of  person  and  jyoperty; 
the  father  may  not  receive  and  assist  the  son,  nor  the  son  the 
father.  In  short,  they  are  looked  upon  by  the  world  as  too  un- 
worthy to  be  in  heaven  or  upon  earth ;  moreover,  they  shew  all 
pomp  and  parade,  rioting,  drunkenness,  sensuality,  &c.,  to- 
wards which  the  whole  world  is  inclined,  all  men  to  the  extent 
of  their  power,  deriving  from  such  practices  the  greatest  self- 
gratification.  They,  on  the  contrary,  take  delight  in  humility, 
sobriety,  an  indigent,  blameless,  and  rejected  life  in  the  fear  of 
the  Lord,  which  is  an  abomination  to  the  whole  world.  It  is, 
therefore,  no  wonder,  in  my  opinion,  that  the  erring,  blind 
world  who  have  not,  neither  know  the  Holy  Spirit,  as  Christ 
says,  (John  14,)  who  seek,  understand  and  judge  earthly  things 
alone,  should  regard,  consider,  and  detest  such  a  life,  as  the  re- 
sult of  imposture  and  deception. 

But  those  who  are  taught  of  God,  who  have  risen  with 
Christ  to  newness  of  life,  are  made  partakers  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  are  spiritually-minded,  look  upon,  and  judge  all  things 
by  the  Spirit,  such  do  not  consider  it  as  imposture  and  decep- 
tion, but  they  esteem  it  above  all  gold  and  silver,  all  knowledge 
and  wisdom,  all  riches  and  honor,  all  parade  and  ostentation; 
nay  above  all  that  is  named  under  heaven;  for  they  know  from 
their  hearts,  that  this  is  the  only  doctrine  that  leadeth  to  im- 
mortality and  eternal  life;  they  look  not  at  the  things  which 
are  transitory,  but  at  things  which  are  imperishable.  They 
provide  and  prepare  a  treasure  and  inheritance  that  abideth  in 
heaven,  but  earthly  treasure  they  esteem  not,  (2  Cor.  4, )  they 
seek  the  wisdom  which  is  eternal,  being,  therefore,  regarded 
by  the  whole  world  as  fools,  (Matt.  C, )  they  adorn  themselves  with 
the  inner  garment  of  righteousness,  despising  the  outer  moth- 
eaten  garment  of  pride;  (1  Cor.  3;)  they  strive  for  that  king- 
dom and  crown  of  which  will  abide  forever;  the  earthly  king- 
dom with  its  glory  they  leave  to  such  as  take  delight  in  them. 

Hence,  dearly  beloved,  it  is  absolutely  necessary  to  judge  all 
things  spiritually;  for  the  world  is  come  to  such  a  state  that 
the  pure  doctrine  of  Jesus  Christ  and  his  apostles  is  esteemed 
heresy;  to  preach  Christ  Jesus,  his  spirit  and  life,  his  unadul- 
terable  word,  will  and  ordinance,  to  turn  the  people  from  un- 
godliness to  piety,  is  considered  as  imposition  and  deception. 
Behold,  how  blind  and  ignorant,  in  divine  things,  are  our  per- 
secutors who  so  miserably  oppress,  persecute  and  destroy  us  for 
the  truth's  sake!  Yea,  my  brethren,  here  is  the  patience,  and 
the  faith  of  the  saints;  (Rev.  13;)  all,  who  in  their  hearts  ex- 
perience this,  (as  here  related)  will  possess  their  souls  in  pa- 


OP  THE  CROSS  OF  CHRIST.  307 

tience,  let  the  opposition  be  ever  so  great,  and  will  pray  for 
their  enemies  with  all  the  ardor  of  the  power  that  is  in  them. 

In  the  fourth  place,  our  persecutors  accuse  us  with  great 
bitterness,  because  we  separate  ourselves  from  their  doctrine, 
sacraments,  church  service,  and  from  a  carnal  and  sensual 
life,  and  in  such  things  dare  have  nothing  to  do  with  them ; 
they  say  that,  in  this  thing,  we  condemn  them,  and  banish 
them  to  hell. 

To  this  we  reply,  in  the  first  place :  The  reason  why  we  can 
never,  by  word  or  deed,  consent  to,  nor  allow  of,  their  preach- 
ers, sacraments,  church  service,  and  impure  sensual  life,  is,  that 
they  are  openly  opposed  to  God  and  his  word;  the  preachers 
serve  when  they  are  not  sent,  (Jer.  23,)  their  doctrine  is  false, 
deceptive  and  contrary  to  the  saving  doctrine  of  truth,  their 
life  is  in  every  respect,  blamable;  they  preach  for  filthy  lucre's 
sake;  they  act  the  hypocrite  for  the  world,  to  flatter  the  de- 
sires thereof;  the  foundation  of  their  faith  and  religion,  is  em- 
peror, king,  princes  and  men  of  power;  what  they  command, 
that  teach  they;  and  what  they  forbid,  that  leave  they  un- 
touched. Their  infant  baptism  is  unfounded  in  scripture ;  their 
supper  is  idolatrous  and  impure,  and  by  the  impure  adminis- 
tered and  received;  their  church-service  is  contrary  to  the  doc- 
trine of  the  apostles;  and  for  the  most  part  so  sensual  and 
ungodly  is  the  ordinary  tenor  of  their  life,  that  every  child  of 
God  must  be  exceedingly  amazed  and  astonished  at  it. 

Seeing  then  that  their  doctrine,  sacrament,  church  service 
and  life,  are  in  fact,  so  palpably  opposed  to  the  word  of  God, 
how  could  we  again  intermingle  and  enter  into  familiarity  with 
them  in  such  henious  abominations  ?  That  we  separate  our- 
selves from  them,  is  the  express  word  and  will  of  God:  For 
says  Paul,  (2  Cor.  6:)  What  communion  hath  light  with  dark- 
ness ?  what  concord  hath  Christ  with  Belial  ?  what  fellowship 
hath  righteousness  with  unrighteousness  ?  or  what  part  hath 
he  that  believeth  with  the  infidel?  and  what  agreement  hath 
the  temple  of  God  with  idols?  for  ye  are  the  temjile  of  the 
living  God  ;  as  God  hath  said  :  I  will  dwell  in  them,  and  walk 
in  them  and  I  will  be  their  God  and  they  shall  be  my  people. 
Wherefore  come  out  from  among  them,  and  be  ye  separate, 
saith  the  Lord,  and  touch  not  the  unclean  thing;  and  I  will 
receive  you  and  will  be  a  Father  unto  you,  and  ye  shall  be  my 
sons  and  daughters,  saith  the  Lord  Almighty.  (Lev.  26; 
Isa.  52.)    .' 

These  words  of  Paul  are  plain  and  intelligible.  It  is,  there- 
fore, utterly  impossible,  that  those  who  have,  through  the 
beneficence  of  God,  received  from  on  high  the  true  light, 
Christ  Jesus,  unfeigned  righteousness,  pure  effective  faith, 
have  become  a  fit  and  worthy  temple  of  the  Lord,  are  under 


308  OP  THE  CROSS  OP  CHRIST. 

the  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  are  chosen  and  adopted  as  the 
children  of  God;  that  such  should  again  have  fellowship  with 
darkness,  Belial,  unrightousness,  infidels  and  idolaters;  for, 
knowing,  by  the  grace  of  God,  that  their  doctrine,  sacraments, 
service  and  life,  are  truly  and  fundamentally  false  and  errone- 
ous; if  you  have  a  true  zeal  for  God,  count  all  things  but  dross, 
that  with  Paul,  you  may  win  Christ;  according  to  scripture 
abhor  that  which  is  evil,  and  cleave  to  that  which  is  good; 
have  washed  your  robes  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  (Phil.  3; 
Rom.  12;  Rev.  7,)  and  conform  in  all  your  thoughts,  words 
and  actions,  to  the  touchstone  of  the  word,  and  the  example  of 
Christ;  how  can  you  again  have  communion  with  them,  and 
say  amen  to  their  abominations?  (Matt.  6;  1  Cor.  10;)  we  can- 
not serve  two  masters  at  once;  we  cannot  hold  communion  with 
Christ  and  at  the  same  time  fellowship  with  the  devil;  we  can- 
not be  the  children  and  servants  of  God,  and  also  the  children 
and  servants  of  satau;  if  we  love  that  which  is  good,  we  must 
abhor  that  which  is  evil;  if  we  embrace  the  truth,  we  must 
forsake  lies,  &c.,  &c. 

Now,  forasmuch  as  we  thus  separate  ourselves  from  them, 
and  testify  by  word  and  deed,  even  unto  death,  that  their  works 
are  evil ;  therefc  re  they  are  filled  with  the  most  inhuman  ran- 
cor and  indignation,  and  say  from  the  heart,  as  all  the  ungodly 
have  done  from  the  beginning:  Let  us  lie  in  wait  for  the  right- 
eous; because  he  is  not  for  our  turn,  and  he  is  clearly  contrary 
to  our  doings:  he  upbraideth  us  with  our  offending  the  law,  and 
objecteth  to  our  infamy,  the  transgressions  of  our  education, 
&c.  He  exposeth  our  secret  designs  and  cunning  devices.  He 
is  grievous  unto  us  even  to  behold;  for  his  life  is  not  like  other 
men's,  his  ways  are  of  another  fashion.  We  are  esteemed  of 
him  as  counterfeits:  he  abstaineth  from  our  ways  as  from 
filthiness:  he  pronounceth  unto  us  the  end  of  the  righteous, 
&c.  Let  us,  therefore,  condemn  him  with  a  shameful  death. 
(Wisd.  2.) 

Here,  my  dearly  beloved  brethren,  the  Holy  Spirit  has  given 
a  faithful  delineation  of  our  persecutors;  for  our  actual  confes- 
sion, that  is  to  say,  our  separation  from  them  is  the  sole  reason 
why  the  blind,  blood-thirsty  world,  frantic  with  rage,  tyrannizes 
over  us  with  so  much  cruelty;  and  why  we  must  bear  and  suffer 
so  much;  as  Peter  also  says.  (1  Pet.  4.)  They  think  the  stranger 
that  you  run  not  with  them  to  the  same  excess  of  riot,  speaking 
evil  of  you.  Nay,  for  this  reason,  Isaiah,  Jeremiah,  Zachariah, 
Shadrach,  Meshach  and  Abednego,  Daniel,  Eleazar,  the  mother 
with  the  seven  sons,  and  Christ  Jesus,  had  to  die  and  bear  the 
cross;  because  they  earnestly  reproved  the  world  in  its  doc- 
trine, ceremonies  and  conduct. 

This  is,  eyen  unto  this  day,  the  only  and  principal  reason, 


01?  THE  CROSS  OP  CHRIST.  309 

and  in  reality  there  is  no  other,  notwithstanding  our  persecutors 
allege  many,  (as  we  have  shown,)  why  we  must  be  considered 
by  the  world  as  ana-baptists,  heretics,  knaves,  deceivers  and 
movers  of  sedition,  and  be  regarded  as  fit  subjects  for  persecu- 
tion. But,  thank  God,  we  know  the  reason  of  our  suffering; 
we  know  also  that  he  who  called  us  to  this  grace,  and  in  whom 
we  put  our  trust,  will  successfully  plead  our  cause,  and  will 
faithfully  stand  by  and  deliver  his  poor  oppressed  children,  in 
every  time  of  need,  to  the  advancement  of  his  eternal  praise  and 
everlasting  glory. 

Though  our  persecutors  assert  that  our  separation  from  them 
is  the  result  of  pure  obstinancy  and  caprice,  yet  their  declara- 
tion is  false  and  un^just,  in  the  presence  of  God  who  knoweth 
the  hearts  of  all  men;  because  our  separation  has  no  other  foun- 
dation nor  design  than  this,  that  we  desired  in  our  weakness, 
to  observe  with  all  our  heart  the  word  of  God,  and  keep  his 
commandments;  and  that  we  might  in  real  charity,  and  in  fact, 
show  to  the  whole  world  that  they  lie  in  wickedness"  and  are 
strangers  to  God  and  his  word,  to  the  end  that  they  may  in  due 
time  awake  and  turn  from  iniquity.  For  how  can  they  in  truth, 
teach  others  generosity,  chastity,  humility,  and  every  virtue,  if 
they  themselves  are  abandoned  to  avarice,  lewdness  and  pride, 
and  addicted  to  every  vice?  It  would  be  the  height  of  folly  for 
a  person  to  point  out  the  right  way  to  others,  warning  them  of 
robbers  and  murderers,  while  he  himself  would  take  a  winding, 
unfrequented  road  and  voluntarily  offer  himself  an  easy  prey  to 
thieves  and  robbers.  My  brethren  may  reflect  upon  what  I 
mean. 

It  is  not  sufficient  for  a  sincere  Christian  merely  to  speak  the 
truth;  but  he  must  also  demonstrate  in  power  and  in  deed,  that 
which  he  speaks,  conforming  himself  thereunto,  or  he  shall  hear 
with  the  Pharisees:  You  say,  and  do  not,  (Matt.  23,)  and  also 
as  Paul,  in  writing  to  the  Romans,  says  of  the  Jews:  You  that 
teach  a  man  should  not  steal,  do  you  steal  ?  You  that  say  a 
man  should  not  commit  adultery,  do  you  commit  adultery? 
You  that  abhor  idols,  do  you  commit  sacrilege  ?  You  that 
boast  of  the  law,  do  you,  through  breaking  the  law,  dishonor 
God?     (Rom.  2.) 

In  short,  a  Christian  teaches  and  acts;  he  professes  and  practi- 
ces; he  believes  and  obeys;  he  directs  and  advances;  his  heart, 
word  and  deed  are  in  unison ;  if  not,  he  is  but  a  hypocrite  and  no 
Christian;  as,  alas!  there  are  numbers  in  our  day,  who  boast 
highly  of  knowledge  and  wisdom,  though  in  power  they  are 
vain  and  unfruitful. 

Again,  we  reply  :  That  our  persecutors  do  violently  and  un- 
justly accuse  us  of  condemning  and  banishing  them  to  hell.  Ah 
no!  far  be  it  from  us  to  condemn  any  man  under  heaven  before 


310  OF  THE  CROSS  OP  CHRIST. 

his  time,  let  him  be  ever  so  wicked.  For  we  are  well  aware  that 
the  scriptures  say:  Condemn  not;  that  you  be  not  condemned. 
(1  Cor.  4;  Matt.  7;  Luke  6.)  There  is  one  who,  in  the  fulness 
of  time,  will  judge  all  men,  every  man  according  to  his  works, 
namely,  he  to  whom  the  Father  has  committed  all  judgment; 
(2  Cor.  5, )  who£03ver  usurps  his  judgment  shall  not  go  unpun- 
ished. Moreover,  we  know  not  the  measure  of  grace  the  sinner 
may  be  made  partaker  of  before  death,  in  order  that,  in  con- 
demning others,  we  might  be  innocent  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord. 
Nevertheless,  we  are  permitted  to  judge  and  speak  by  the  word 
of  God,  as  follows  :  If  a  miser  does  not  abandon  his  avaricious 
principles;  a  whoremonger  his  lewdness;  a  drunkard  his  strong 
drink;  an  idolator  his  worshipping  of  strange  gods;  and  by  a 
pious,  penitent  life,  turn  to  the  true  and  living  God  with  sorrow 
and  anguish  of  heart,  in  the  operative  faith  of  Jesus  Christ,  he 
is  no  Christian,  nor  shall  he  inherit  the  kingdom  of  God,  (Rom. 
1;  1  Cor.  6;)  if  sentence  is  thus  passed,  it  is  not  we  that  judge, 
but  the  scriptures,  as  Christ  says  :  He  that  rejecteth  me,  and 
receiveth  not  ray  words,  hath  one  that  judgeth  him:  the  word 
that  I  have  spoken,  the  same  shall  judge  him  in  the  last  day. 
We  are  well  assured  that  God  does  and  can  save  no  man  con- 
trary to  his  word;  (Gal,  5;  John  12,)  for  he  is  truth,  and 
cannot  lie.  Where  there  is  no  faith,  no  newness  of  mind,  there 
is  no  repentance,  nor  sorrow  of  heart,  &c.,  (John  14;  Tit.  1, ) 
upon  such,  alas !  Christ  has  already  passed  sentence,  saying. : 
If  ye  believe  not  that  I  am  he,  ye  shall  die  in  your  sins;  if  ye 
repent  not,  ye  shall  all  perish;  and  more  similar  expressions. 
CJohn  8;  Luke  13.) 

Brethren,  we  therefore  judge  no  man  with  our  word  before 
the  time,  as  you  well  know;  but  we  commit  that  unto  Jesus 
Christ  and  his  word,  who  will  judge  them  in  due  season;  we  do 
not  condemn  them  by  our  separation,  as  they  complain;  but  we 
teach  and  admonish  them  by  word  and  work,  with  all  diligence 
and  threatening,  that  they  cease  from  evil,  follow  that  which  is 
good,  do  righteousness,  seek  and  fear  God  in  a  good  conscience, 
lest  they  die  in  sin  and  unbelief,  and  abide  forever  the  wrath  and 
judgment  of  God.  (Ps.  33;  Pet.  3.)  Nevertheless,  the  pure 
charity  and  faithful  service  of  the  pious  are  ascribed  to  bad 
motives,  and  construed  to  their  disgrace. 

In  the  fifth  place,  many  cover  their  tyranny  and  shedding  of 
blood  with  a  thin  fig-leaf,  and  say:  We  judge  you  not,  but  the 
emperor's  manda.te  judges  you. 

We  reply:  If  our  persecutors  are  Christians,  and  have  the 
knowledge  of  Christ,  as  they  suppose,  we  earnestly  desire  in  the 
spirit  of  humanity,  for  God's  sake,  that  they  would  draw  a 
comparison  between  the  emperor  and  Christ,  and  observe  with 
attention  whether  the  emperor  and  Christ  are  of   one  spirit; 


OF  THE   CROSS  OF   CHRIST^  Sll 

whether  he  walks  as  Christ  taught  his  disciples:  also,  that  they 
would  compare  the  emperor's  mandate  with  the  gospel  of  Christ. 
If  they  discover  that  the  emperor  does  not  agree  with  Christ  in 
spirit  and  in  life;  and  that  his  mandate,  in  accordance  with 
which  they  frame  their  conduct,  is  contrary  to  the  gospel,  then 
they  must  acknowledge  that  the  emperor  is  no  Christian,  and 
that  his  mandate  is  proscribed  and  accursed  in  the  presence  of 
God. 

It  is  the  most  lamentable  blindness  that  they  fear  and  honor 
the  poor,  earthly  emperor  more  than  Christ  Jesus,  and  pay 
more  respect  to  his  blood-thirsty,  malicious  mandate,  than  to 
the  gospel  of  love.  Yet  they  desire  to  be  considered  Christians. 
O!  that  the  emperor  and  his  subjects  were  Christians!  This  is 
our  most  earnest  desire.  Then  would  be  spared  a  great  deal 
of  innocent  blood,  which  is  now  spilt  like  v/ater,  contrary  to  all 
scripture  and  charity. 

Say  now,  all  who  are  guilty  of  innocent  blood,  and  who  pal- 
liate your  conduct  with  the  emperor's  mandate ;  where  have  you 
read  a  single  passage  in  the  whole  life  of  Christ,  which  author- 
izes men  to  shed  blood  and  punish  with  the  sword  for  opinion's 
sake?  Where  have  the  apostles  once  taught  or  countenanced 
such  a  practice  ?  Should  not  the  cause  of  the  Spirit  (understand 
faith,)  be  reserved  unto  the  judgment  of  the  Spirit?  Why  do 
you  and  the  emperor  place  yourselves  in  God's  stead,  judging 
things  which  you  understand  not,  neither  are  they  commanded 
you?  Do  you  not  consider  Avhat  befel  Pharaoh,  Antiochus, 
Herod,  and  many  others,  because  they  feared  not  the  most 
High,  and  vented  their  wrath  against  his  people?  (Eph.  1.) 
Consider,  O  you  tyrants  and  blood-thirsty  !  that  the  emperor  is 
not  the  head  of  Christ,  but  that  Christ  is  the  head  of  the  em- 
peror; that  the  emperor  shall  not  judge  and  govern  Christ,  but 
Christ  the  emperor.  (Col.  2;  Heb.  2.)  Dear  men,  how  can  you 
be  so  arrogant  and  so  rebellious  against  him  who  created  you  ? 
Do  you  consider  the  scriptures  as  mockery  and  as  destitute  of 
truth?  Or  do  you  hope  that  your  glass  will  remain  forever,  and 
that  it  will  never  run  out  ?  Stand  in  awe  of  Him  who  locks  up 
the  heavens  and  the  earth  in  the  palm  of  his  hand,  who  sends 
forth  the  lightning,  gives  wings  to  the  tempest,  and  shakes  the 
foundations  of  the  mountains,  who  rules  all  things  with  the  word 
of  his  power,  at  whose  name  every  knee  shall  bow,  of  things  in 
heaven  and  things  in  earth,  and  things  under  the  earth,  and  to 
whom  every  tongue  shall  confess  that  he  is  the  Lord,  (Deut. 
22;  Phil.  2;)  as  soon  as  he  calls,  you  must  appear  at  his  tri- 
bunal, (his  summons  is  peremptory, )  no  matter  w^ho  you  are, 
where  you  be,  or  what  your  pretensions;  there  will  be  no  equiv- 
ocation, no  counsel,  no  excuse;  when  he  calls,  you  must  be 
there  to  give  an  account;  you  may  be  no  longer  steward,  (Luke 


813  OF  THE  CROSS  OF  CHRIST. 

16;)  yet  a  little  while,  and  the  wicked  shall  not  be;  though  his 
throne  is  exalted  unto  heaven,  and  his  dominion  extends  to  the 
ends  of  the  earth,  yet  in  a  short  time  he  shall  be  sought  for  and 
shall  not  be  found.  (Ps.  37:  3  Mac.  2) 

Therefore,  beloved  brethren  and  children  in  the  Lord,  be  of 
sincere  minds,  and  full  of  consolation  in  Christ  Jesus;  for  all 
who  persecute  you  shall  be  as  as  grass;  and  all  their  power  and 
glory  as  the  flower  of  the  field;  (Isa.  40;  1  Pet.  2;)  therefore, 
be  not  afraid  of  perishable,  mortal  man,  but  fear  the  Lord  who 
has  chosen  you;  for  all  the  children  of  men  shall  wither  as  the 
grass,  vanish  as  a  mist,  and  wax  old  as  a  garment;  but  you 
shall  abide  forever,  (as  the  scripture  testifies,)  and  your  souls 
shall  enjoy  everlasting  life.     (Isa.  51;  1  John  2.) 

Yes,  dearly  beloved,  the  longed-for  day  of  your  visitation  is 
at  hand,  in  which  you  shall  stand  up  with  great  power  against 
those  who  have  troubled  you,  (Wis.  3,  5,)  and  exacted  your 
sweat  and  toil,  nay,  your  blood  and  life,  (Matt.  4;)  then  shall 
our  persecutors  be  as  ashes  under  the  souls  of  our  feet;  and 
know,  but  too  late,  that  emperor,  king,  duke,  prince,  crown, 
sceptre,  majesty,  power,  sword  and  mandate,  are  but  earth, 
dust,  wind  and  smoke. 

Against  this  day,  all  afflicted  and  oppressed  Christians,  who 
now  labor  under  the  cross  of  Christ,  console  themselves  in  the 
firm  hope  of  a  future  life,  and  commit  all  tyrants  with  their 
heathenish  mandates  unto  God  and  his  judgments;  they  remain 
firmly  attached  unto  Christ  Jesus  and  his  holy  word,  and  con- 
form thereunto,  their  whole  doctrine,  faith,  sacraments  and  life, 
never  paying  respect  to  any  other  doctrine  or  mandate;  even 
as  the  Father  commanded  from  heaven,  (Matt.  17,)  and  as 
Christ  Jesus  with  his  holy  apostles  taught  in  all  clearness, 
leaving  it  as  a  legacy  unto  all  pious,  god-fearing  children. 

I  suppose,  beloved  brethren,  it  is  sufficiently  evident  that  the 
apology  of  tyrants,  (in  which  they  aver  the  justice  and  right  of 
the  outrageous  murders,)  is  perfectly  futile  and  barbarous;  and 
that  their  accusation  against  us  has  no  foundation  in  truth,  is 
diametrically  opposed  to  Christ  and  his  word,  nay,  contrary  to 
the  principles  of  love,  justice  and  equity.  May  the  Father  of 
mercies  grant  unto  all,  who  suffer  for  his  truth's  sake,  a  sound 
understanding  of  his  word  and  truth,  and  a  freedom  of  mind  in 
all  temptations.     Amen. 

We  will  now,  by  the  gi-ace  of  God,  show,  in  few  words,  how 
greatly  it  serves  for  our  good,  that  our  flesh  is  afflicted  and 
tempted  with  many  crosses  and  tribulations  here  upon  earth. 

Beloved  brethren,  when  we  consider  the  weakness  of  our 
sinful  nature,  (Gen.  6,)  and  how  prone  we  all  are  to  evil  from 
our  youth;  that  in  our  flesh  dwelleth  no  good  thing,  (Rom.  7,) 
and  that  we  drunk  iniquity  and  ungodliness  like  water;  as  Eli- 


OF  THE  CROSS  OF  CHniST.  .    313 

phas,  the  Temauite  said  to  Job;  and  have,  at  all  times  (though 
we  seek  and  fear  God,)  an  affection  for  the  things  of  time  and 
sense,  (Job  15,^  the  gracious  God  and  Father,  who  through  his 
eternal  love,  is  always  greatly  concerned  for  his  children,  has 
prepared,  and  left  in  his  house,  an  excellent  remedy  therefor, 
namely,  the  oppressive  cross  of  Christ;  so  that  we,  who,  in  un- 
bounded mercy,  are  received  through  Christ  Jesus,  to  the  glory 
of  the  Father,  believing  in  pureness  of  heart  on  Christ  Jesus, 
and  love  him  in  our  weakness,  may,  through  the  aforesaid  cross, 
that  is,  through  much  affliction,  forsake  all  the  transitory  de- 
lights and  enjoyments  of  earth,  die  unto  the  world  and  the  flesh, 
love  God  alone,  set  our  affection  on  things  above,  where  Christ 
sitteth  on  the  right  hand  of  God,  (Col.  8;)  as  Peter  also  says: 
Forasmuch,  then,  says  he,  as  Christ  hath  suffered  for  us  in  the 
flesh,  arm  yourselves  likewise  w^ith  the  same  mind;  for  he  that 
hath  suffered  in  the  flesh  hatli  ceased  from  sin  ;  that  he  no 
longer  should  live  the  rest  of  his  time  in  the  flesh,  to  the  lusts 
of  men,  but  to  the  will  of  God.     (1  Pet.  4.) 

It  appears  to  me  utterly  impossible,  beloved  brethren,  that 
they  who  voluntarily  submit  to  the  word  and  will  of  God,  who 
are  willing  and  prepared  to  support  the  word  in  all  things,  being 
for  this  reason  constantly  persecuted  and  afflicted,  slandered, 
imprisoned,  robbed  and  put  to  death,  should  turn  again  and  set 
their  affection  upon  sensual  pleasures,  and  the  vain  and  sinful 
desires  of  the  world.  For,  of  what  value  are  money  and  pos- 
sessions^  if  we  but  believe  that  we  have  in  heaven  ?l  better  and 
an  enduring  substance,  that  temporal  riches  can  neither  render 
us  happy,  nor  afford  us  relief,  (Matt.  6;  Heb.  10,)  and  that  we 
know  not  how  soon  they  may  be  taken  from  us  by  robbers  ? 
Or,  why  should  we  gratify  the  lusts  of  the  flesh,  when  we  look 
for,  and  expect  nothing  else  every  instant,  than  to  be  appre- 
hended by  the  officers,  and  be  treated  by  the  executioners  after 
this  manner,  be  racked,  tortured,  drowned,  burned  and  assas- 
sinated? Moreover,  how  can  the  world  afford  us  any  enjoyment, 
seeing  we  are  looked  upon  by  the  whole  world  as  deceivers, 
heretics,  scorners  and  fools  ? 

Forasmuch  as  eternal  Wisdom  recognizes  an  extreme  weak- 
ness, and  sincere  earthly  toil,  peace  and  felicity  have  so  great 
a  tendency  to  ruin  and  undo  us  before  our  God,  and  to  render 
us  careless,  refractory,  lukewarm  and  drowsy,  he  has  appointed 
his  cross  as  an  awakening  rod  for  the  use  of  all  his  followers,  by 
which,  as  a  faithful  Father,  he  restrains,  awakes  and  excites 
the  children  of  his  love;  as  Solomon  says,  (Prov.  3,  12:)  My 
son,  despise  not  the  chastening  of  the  Lord;  neither  be  weary 
of  his  correction;  for  whom  the  Lord  loveth  he  correcteth;  he 
chasteneth  every  son  in  whom  he  delighteth,  (Rev.  3.)  If  ye 
endure  chastening,  God  dealeth  with  you  as  with  sons;  for  what 

14 


314  OF  THE  CROSS  OF  CHRIST. 

son  is  he  whom  the  father  chasteiieth  not  ?  But  if  ye  be  without 
chastisement,  whereof  all  are  partakers,  then  are  ye  bastards, 
and  not  sons.  (Heb.  12.)  Furthermore,  we  have  had  fathers  of 
our  flesh  which  corrected  us,  and  we  gave  them  reverence :  Shall 
we  not  much  rather  be  in  subjection  unto  the  Father  of  spirits, 
and  live  ?  For  they  verily,  for  a  few  days,  chastened  us  after 
their  own  pleasure;  but  he,  for  our  profit,  that  we  might  be 
partakers  of  his  holiness.  CHeb.  7,  10.) 

Behold,  brethren,  these  words  of  the  apostle  are,  beyond 
measure,  gracious  and  replete  with  consolation  unto  all  those 
who  have  to  bear  the  cross  of  Christ;  for,  as  a  strict  and  faith- 
ful father  who  loves  his  children,  desiring  to  teach  and  instruct 
them  that  which  is  best,  does,  sometimes,  out  of  pure  paternal 
love,  admonish,  chasten  and  punish  them  with  stripes  for  the 
edification  and  promotion  of  his  dear  children,  not  regarding  the 
pain  inflicted  in  the  flesh,  in  drder  that  they  may  not  despise 
their  father's  will,  command  and  voice,  but  that  they  may  fear 
and  obey  with  all  their  heart,  learn  and  practice  modesty,  piety 
and  docility;  so  does  our  heavenly  Father  ofttimes  chasten  his 
elect  children  with  his  paternal  rod,  that  they  may  hear  and 
obey  him  in  his  holy  word,  will  and  commandment,  practice 
piety  and  every  moral  virtue,  fear  God  with  sincerity  of  heart, 
unite  not,  nor  familarize  themselves  with  the  world,  live  no 
longer  imto  flesh  and  blood;  and  hereby,  as  obedient  and 
chastened  children  of  God,  be  finally  made  partakers  of  the 
promised  kingdom  and  inlieritance. 

But  if  they  refuse  the  rod  of  chastisement,  reject  the  cross  of 
Christ,  and  become,  inconsequence  of  their  Father's  kind  chas- 
tening, the  longer  the  more  abandoned  and  refractory,  despis- 
ing their  Father's  will  and  word,  dealing  and  acting  according 
to  their  own  inclination,  they  must  at  last  be  cast  off  and  be 
considered  as  infamous  bastards. 

Therefore,  holy  brethren,  refuse  not  the  rod  and  correction 
of  your  kind  Father,  for  its  tendency  is  extremely  beneficial, 
namely,  that  you  lay  aside  every  weight  and  the  sins  which  so 
easily  beset  you,  and  in  all  things,  without  exception,  fear,  love, 
and  obey  your  father.  Thus,  is  this  rod  of  the  cross  of  Christ 
pure  love  and  benevolence,  and  not  indignation  and  wrath:  as 
may  be  perceived  and  evinced  by  the  spirit  of  God,  and  not  by 
the  dictates  of  the  flesh. 

For  a  similar  reason  did  God  ofttimes  permit  his  people  Israel 
to  be  chastised  by  the  Philistines,  Assyrians,  Chaldeans,  &c., 
when  they  forgot  and  rebelled  against  their  God,  in  order  that 
by  such  scourges  and  punishments  they  might  again  seek  their 
God,  hear  his  law,  cease  from  evil,  and  act  uprightly  in  all 
things.  Notwithstanding,  the  paternal  punishment  was  for  the 
most  part  lost  upon  Israel;  as  the  Prophet  says,  He  hath  often 


OP  THE  CROSS  OF  CHRIST.  315 

reproved,  but  what  did  it  avail?  The  rod  amendeth  not  the 
wicked  children,  saith  the  Lord  God.     (Ezek.  31. ) 

Behold  also,  famine  and  plague,  tribulation  and  anguish,  are 
sent  as  scourges  for  amendment.  But  for  all  these  things  they 
shall  not  turn  from  their  wickedness,  nor  be  always  mindful  of 
the  scourges.     (2  Esdras,  IG,  19,  20.) 

Again:  Thou  hast  stricken  them,  but  they  have  not  grieved; 
thou  hast  punished  them  for  amendment,  but  they  refused  to  re- 
ceive correction ;  they  have  made  their  faces  harder  than  a 
rock:  they  have  refused  to  return.     ( jer.  5.) 

The  above  cited  words  of  the  prophet  show  plainly  why  the 
Israelites  w^ere  so  often  punished  and  stricken  of  the  Lord, 
namely,  that  they  might  turn  themselves  from  iniquity.  Yet 
all  in  vain,  as  the  prophets  complain  and  declare  in  the  above 
words. 

Beloved  brethren,  let  this  sei-ve  you  as  an  admonition,  that 
you  be  not  like  cuxumstanced  with  disobedient  and  hard- 
hearted Israel,  but  that  you  willingly  submit  yourselves  to  the 
chastening  and  correction  of  your  merciful  Father,  reflecting 
upon  that  which  is  written:  When  we  are  judged  we  are 
chastened  of  the  Lord,  that  we  should  not  be  condemned  with 
the  world.   (1  Cor.  11,  32) 

Therefore,  dearly  beloved  brethren  and  sisters  in  the  Lord, 
reject  not  the  chastening  and  instruction  of  your  affectionate 
Father,  but  receive  with  abundant  joy  the  exhortation  of  his 
sincere  affection,  giving  thanks  that  through  his  paternal  favor 
he  has  chosen  you  in  Christ  Jesus,  as  the  children  of  his  love, 
taught  you  and  called  you  by  the  word  of  his  power,  (Eph.  1,) 
enlighten  you  with  the  Holy  Spirit,  that  through  the  salutary 
influence  of  the  cross  of  Christ  you  may  restore  to  health  your 
poor,  weak,  mortal  flesh,  which  is  obnoxious  to  so  many  loath- 
some infectious  diseases  of  concupiscence,  and  wean  it  entirely 
from  the  pleasures  and  enjoyments  of  the  world,  that  you  may 
be  made  partakers  of  the  cross  of  Christ,  and  rendered  con- 
formable upon  his  death,  (Phil,  3, )  and,  by  this  means,  attain 
unto  the  resurrection  of  the  dead;  as  Paul,  in  a  certain  place 
instructs,  saying:  We  are  troubled  on  every  side,  yet  not  dis- 
tressed; we  are  perplexed,  but  not  in  despair;  persecuted,  but 
not  forsaken;  cast  down,  but  not  destroyed  ;  alv/ays  bearing 
about  in  the  body  of  the  dying  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  that  the  life 
also  of  Jesus  might  be  made  manifest  in  our  body.  (2  Cor.  4, 
8,  9,  10.)  But  we  who  live  surrender  ourselves  daily  unto 
death  for  Jesus'  sake,  that  the  life  also  of  Jesus  might  be  made 
manifest  in  our  mortal  flesh. 

Behold,  for  this  cause  he  teaches,  admonishes,  threatens, 
chastens  and  rebukes,  that  we  should  deny  ungodliness  and 
worldly  lusts,  die  entirely  unto  the  world,  flesh  and  th©  devil, 


816  OF  THE  CROSS  OF  CHRIST. 

seek  our  treasure,  portion  and  inheritance  in  heaven,  alone 
love  and  believe  the  only  true,  living  and  eternal  God,  looking 
in  patience  for  that  blessed  hope,  and  the  glorious  appearing  of 
the  great  God,  and  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  who  gave  himself 
for  us,  that  he  might  redeem  us  from  all  iniquity,  and  purify 
unto  himself  a  peculiar  people,  serving  him  in  righteousness 
and  godliness  all  the  days  of  our  life.     (Tit.  2.) 

And  for  the  same  reason  James  says,  (James  1 :)  My  breth- 
ren, count  it  all  joy  when  ye  fall  into  divers  temptations,  know- 
ing this,  that  the  trying  of  your  faith  worketh  patience.  But 
let  patience  have  her  perfect  work,  that  ye  may  be  perfect  and 
entire,  wanting  nothing ;  for  as  gold  in  passing  through  the 
fire  is  severed  from  the  dross,  and  becomes  more  and  more  re- 
fined; so  the  susceptible  man  of  God  is  subdued,  purified,  and 
refined,  in  the  fiery  furnace  of  afliiction,  that  he  may  enhance 
the  everlasting  praise  and  glory  of  Christ  and  the  Father,  and 
may  out  of  a  pure  heart,  without  hindrance,  fear,  love,  honor, 
thank,  and  serve  the  same  eternal  God. 

And  this  is  the  word  that  is  written  in  the  book  of  Wisdom, 
namely  :  Having  been  a  little  chastised,  they  shall  be  greatly 
rewarded.  For  God  proved  them,  and  found  them  worthy  for 
himself.  As  gold  in  the  furnace  hath  he  tried  them,  and  re- 
ceived them  as  a  burnt-ofiering.  And  in  the  time  of  their  visi- 
tation they  shall  shine,  and  run  to  and  fro  like  sparks  among 
the  stubble.  They  shall  judge  the  nations,  and  have  dominion 
over  the  people,  and  their  Lord  shall  reign  forever.     (Wis.  3.) 

Beloved  brethren,  be  you,  therefore,  full  of  consolation  in  the 
Lord,  and  bear  willingly  your  tribulation  as  pious  soldiers  of 
Christ,  that  you  may  please  him  who  hath  called  and  chosen 
you  as  soldiers:  For,  says  Paul,  (2  Tim.  2,)  if  a  man  also  strive 
for  masteries,  yet  he  is  not  crowned  except  he  strive  lawfully. 
Conduct  yourselves,  therefore,  valiantly  in  the  strife,  and  you 
shall  gain  favor  in  the  eyes  of  your  king;  but  if  you  become 
intimidated,  throw  down  your  arms,  and  forsake  the  combat, 
you  shall  receive  no  crown;  for  he  that  endure th  unto  the  end, 
says  Christ,  shall  be  saved.     (Matt.  10.) 

I  fear  that  some  may  be  found  among  our  young  and  inex- 
perienced brethren,  who  suffer  themselves  to  be  perplexed  by 
the  fleeting  thought — Wherefore  doth  the  way  of  the  wicked 
and  ungodly  prosper  ?  And  why  do  the  righteous  suffer  much 
tribulation?  (Jer.  12;  Ps.  73.)  Yea,  it  appears  in  the  eyes  of 
the  imprudent  as  if  the  ungodly  were  born  to  prosper;  for  they 
grow  and  increase  like  a  blossoming  branch.  They  marry  and 
are  given  in  marriage;  they  sow,  plant,  and  gather  the  grain 
into  barns;  they  hoard  up  money  in  their  chests;  their  dwell- 
ings are  magnificent  and  filled  with  costly  things;  they  deck 
themselves  with  gold  and  silver,  with  silk  and  velvet;  they 


OF  THE  CROSS  OP  CHEIST.  317 

iiourisli  their  hearts  as  in  a  day  of  slaughter.  (James  4.)  Their 
fields  and  meadows  flourish  luxuriantly;  their  cattle  are  healthy 
and  prolific;  their  children  are  merry,  gay  and  vigorous  in  their 
sight;  they  play  upon  the  organ  and  the  tambour,  the  viol  and 
the  lute;  they*  sing  and  leap  for  joy,  and  say  to  their  souls  : 
Rejoice,  and  be  gay  while  life  endures. 

Their  preachers  confirm  and  console  them,  and  their  worship 
is  a  pleasure  exceeding  all  pleasures.  In  short,  it  would  appear 
as  if  they  were  loved  and  blessed  of  God  with  a  peculiar  love, 
and  that  the  righteous  are  accursed  and  hated  of  God  with  a 
peculiar  hatred;  for  they  are  like  a  slender  shrub  in  a  barren 
soil ;  like  a  poor  frighted  owl  that  is  persecuted  by  all  other 
birds;  like  a  pelican  of  the  wilderness;  and  as  a  sparrow  alone 
under  the  roof.  (Isa.  53;  Ps.  103.)  All  who  look  upon  them, 
mock  them;  all  who  know  them,  despise  them.  There  is  no 
kingdom,  principality,  city  nor  country,  large  enough  ta  en- 
dure and  tolerate  a  poor,  rejected  Christian.  All  who  abuse, 
slander,  and  injure  them,  think  they  do  God  service. 

Brethren,  were  we  to  speak  or  judge  after  the  manner  of 
men,  we  would  doubtless  complain  with  holy  Jeremiah,  and 
say,  (Jer.  12:)  Righteous  art  thou,  O  Lord,  when  I  plead  with 
thee:  yet,  let  me  talk  with  thee  of  thy  judgments.  Wherefore 
doth  the  way  of  the  wicked  prosper  ?  Wherefore*  are^  all  they 
happy  that  deal  very  treacherously?  Again;  (Heb.  1.)  Where- 
fore lookest  thou  upon  them  that  deal  treacherously,  and 
boldest  thy  tongue  when  the  wicked  devoureth  the  man  that  is 
more  righteous  than  he?  and  Esdras,  (2  Esd.  3:)  Are  they  of 
Babylon  better  than  they  of  Sion?  Asaph's  feet  were  almost 
gone,  his  steps  had  well  nigh  slipped,  when  he  saw  the  pros- 
perity of  the  wicked,  and  observed  the  opposition  and  tribula- 
tion of  the  righteous.     (Ps.  73.) 

I  counsel  and  admonish  all  who  have  to  contend  with  such 
thoughts,  that  they  direct  their  hearts  and  eyes  unto  the  Lord's 
word,  and  observe  with  attention  that  which  is^written  concern- 
ing the  end  and  issue  of  both :  and  first  of  the  ungodly.  They 
spend  their  days  in  wealth,  says  Job,  (Chap.  21,)  and  in  a  mo- 
ment they  go  down  to  the  grave.  Again:  Fret  not  thyself, 
says  David,  because  of  evil  doers,  neither  be  thou  envious 
against  the  workers  of  iniquity;  for  they  shall  soon  be  cut  down 
like  the  grass,  and  wither  as  the  green  herb.  Again:  If  ye  live 
after  the  flesh,  says  Paul,  ye  shall  die;  to  be  carnally  minded 
is  death.   (Ps.  37;  Rom.  8,  and  many  similar  passages.) 

But  respecting  the  end  of  the  righteous,  it  is  written:  The 
souls  of  the  righteous  are  in  the  hand  of  God,  and  there  shall 
no  torment  touch  them.  In  the  sight  of  the  unwise  they  seemed 
to  die :  and  their  departure  is  taken  for  misery,  and  their  going 
from  us  to  be  utter  destruction ;  but  they  are  in  peace.    (Wis. 


818  OF  THE  CROiSS  OF  CHRIST. 

3,  1,  2,  3.)  Many  are  the  aflflictions  of  the  righteous,  but  the 
Lord  delivereth  him  out  of  them  all.  (Ps.  34, )  Again:  Blessed 
are  ye  when  men  shall  revile  and  persecute  you,  and  say  all 
manner  of  evil  against  you,  falsely,  for  my  sake.  Rejoice  and 
be  exceeding  glad;  for  great  is  your  reward  in  heaven.  (Matt. 
5.)  Again:  Seeing,  says  Paul,  it  is  a  righteous  thing  with 
God,  to  recompense  tribulation  to  them  that  trouble  you;  and 
to  you  who  are  troubled  rest  with  us,  when  the  Lord  Jesus  shall 
be  revealed  from  heaven  with  his  mighty  angels  in  flaming  fire, 
taking  vengeance  on  them  that  know  not  God,  and  that  obey 
not  the  Gospel  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ:  who  shall  be  punished 
with  everlasting  destruction  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord,  and 
from  the  glory  of  his  power,  (2  Thess.  1,)  when  he  shall  come 
to  be  glorified  in  his  saints,  and  to  be  admired  in  them  that  be- 
lieve; yea,  all  who  truly  read,  believe,  and  understand  the 
scriptures,  and  have  a  correct  perception  of  the  vast  dissimi- 
larity in  end  and  issue  of  both,  will  not  envy  them  their  short- 
lived prosperity,  joy,  and  felicity,  and  will  by  the  grace  of  God, 
be  prepared  for  and  find  consolation  in  their  own  cross,  tribu- 
lation and  affliction. 

Moreover,  brethren,  we  are  well  aware  that  the  cross  appears 
to  the  flesh  as  grievious,  harsh  and  severe,  and  is  not  in  this 
life  looked  upon  as  productive  of  joy,  but  much  rather  of  sor- 
row; as  Paul  says,  (Heb.  11.)  Yet,  since  it  contains  within 
itself,  a  source  of  profit  and  delight,  in  that  it  adds  to  the  piety 
of  the  pious,  separates  them  from  the  world  and  the  flesh, 
makes  them  revere  God  and  his  word,  as  mentioned  above; 
and  that  it  is  also  the  Father's  holy  will  that  by  it  the  sincere 
be  approved,  and  the  pretender  exposed  in  his  hypocrisy;  there- 
fore, all  the  true  cbildren  of  God  are  prepared  through  love,  to 
do  the  will  of  the  Father,  rejoicing  in  it;  as  Paul  says,  (Gal.  6,) 
God  forbid  that  I  should  glory,  save  in  the  cross  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  by  whom  the  world  is  crucified  unto  me,  and  I 
unto  the  world .  Again:  The  apostles  departed  from  the  pre- 
sence of  the  council,  rejoicing  that  they  were  counted  worthy 
to  suffer  shame  for  his  name.     (Acts  5",  41.) 

Forasmuch  as  we  are  well  convinced  that  our  weak  flesh,  is 
very  intimately  united  with  us,  and  is  a  source  of  vexation,  as 
we  find  in  the  case  of  Job,  Jeremiah,  Elijah  and  many  others, 
as  also  of  our  Lord  himself  who  earnestly  desired  that,  if  it 
were  possible,  the  cup  must  be  removed  from  him,  nay,  in  ex- 
cess of  agony  he  trembled,  quaked,  and  sweat  as  it  were  great 
drops  of  blood,  so  that  an  angel  appeared  unto  him  from  heav- 
en strengthening  him,  (Luke  22,)  therefore  our  best  counsel 
is,  that  in  faith  and  humility  of  heart,  we  fly  for  refuge  to  our 
God,  as  all  sincere  bearers  of  the  cross  have  done  from  the  be- 
ginning: and  seek,  in  full  confidence,  his  grace,  aid,  assistance 


OF  THE  CROSS  OF   CHRIST.  819 

and  consolation;  for  whom  does  lie  forsake  that  trusts  in  him? 
and  who  hath  called  upon  him  that  he  did  not  hear?  he  is  our 
God  and  Father;  he  is  our  Lord  and  King;  our  helper  and  pro- 
tector; our  strength  and  fortress;  our  consolation  and  refuge  in 
the  time  of  need;  he  is  the  horn  of  our  salvation  and  our 
shadow  and  noonday.  By  my  God,  says  David,  have  I  leaped 
over  a  wall.  (Ps.  18;  Isa.  4.)  If  God  is  for  us  who  can  be 
against  us?  We  can  do  all  things  through  Christ  who  strength- 
ens us.  To  him  commit  thy  cause;  he  worketh  in  his  saints 
that  which  is  pleasing  in  his  sight.  Some  he  has  rescued  from 
the  hands  of  tyrants,  some  he  has  preserved  in  the  midst  of  fire; 
for  others  he  has  stopped  the  mouths  of  fierce  and  ravening 
lions;  (Dan.  3,  6,)  he  has  released  some  from  prison  and  con- 
finement, others  have  trampled  the  fear  of  death  under  their 
feet  and  through  the  strength  of  their  faith,  have  triumphantly 
and  victoriously  conquered  hunger,  thirst,  shame,  derision, 
nakedness,  stripes,  imprisonment,  anguish,  and,  in  addition, 
the  gallows,  rack,  massacre,  torture,  wa'ter,  fire,  life  and  death, 
&c.  (Jer.  26;  Acts  5,  12,  6.)  They  were  actuated  by  the  con- 
straining effective  influence  of  divine  love,  which  converts  the 
bitter  into  sweet,  and  the  horrible  into  that  which  is  greatly  to 
be  desired.  Love,  says  Solomon,  is  strong  as  death;  many 
waters  cannot  quench  it,  neither  can  the  floods  drown  it;  all 
who  possess  it  ought  to  say  with  Paul :  Who  shall  separate  us 
from  the  love  of  God?  shall  tribulation,  or  distress,  or  persecu- 
tion, or  famine,  or  nakedness,  or  peril,  or  sword?  (Rom.  8.)  As 
it  is  written:  For  thy  sake  we  are  killed  all  the  day  long;  we 
are  accounted  as  sheep  for  the  slaughter.  (Ps.  43. )  Nay,  in 
all  these  things  we  are  more  than  conquerors  through  him  that 
loved  us  ;  for  I  am  persuaded  that  neither  death,  nor  life,  &c., 
shall  separate  us  from  the  love  of  God,  which  is  in  Christ 
Jesus  our  Lord. 

Therefore,  beloved  brethren,  bearers  of  the  cross  of  the  Lord, 
know  you  God,  fear  and  love  him,  believe  and  confide  in  him, 
love  and  serve  him,  and  that  in  the  fulness  of  pureness  of  heart, 
according  to  the  example  of  all  saints,  and  of  Christ  Jesus:  and 
the  Father  of  mercies  and  of  truth,  in  the  excellency  of  his 
love,  will  not  forsake  you,  but  will  care  for  you  as  the  apple  of 
his  eye,  will  support  you,  with  all  the  faithful  in  every  misfor- 
tune and  extremity,  will  extend  his  hand  and  guard  and  pre- 
serve you  in  life  or  in  death,  as  is  pleasing  in  his  sight,  to  the 
enhancement  of  his  glory  and  to  the  salvation  of  your  own 
souls,  for  he  is  so  kind  and  faithful,  that  he  will  not  suffer  you 
to  be  tempted  above  that  you  are  able,  but  will  in  his  boundless 
mercy  make  a  way  for  you  to  escape  if  you  only  remain  stead- 
fast in  the  belief  of  his  word,  and  consider  him  as  your  faithful 
Father.     (1  Cor.  10.)     ^ 


320  OF  THE  CROSS  OF  CHRIST. 

Dear  brethren,  if,  in  your  trials  and  temptations,  you  exhibit 
such  evidence  as  here  related;  drinking  with  patience  the  cup 
of  the  Lord;  bearing  witness  of  Christ  Jesus  and  his  holy  ines- 
timable word,  in  action  and  conversation ;  suffering  yourselves, 
in  perfect  constancy,  to  be  led  as  meek  lambs  to  the  slaughter, 
for  his  testimony's  sake;  then  will  the  name  of  the  Lord  be 
sanctified  and  exalted  with  praise  and  abundant  glory;  the  hope 
of  the  righteous  shall  be  revealed;  the  kingdom  of  heaven, 
spread  abroad;  the  word  of  God  acknowledged;  and  your  poor 
weak  brethren  and  companions  in  the  Lord  edified  and  con- 
firmed by  this  your  plain  dealing. 

Yea,  my  brethren,  in  the  manner  here  related,  we  are  informed 
and  instructed,  even  unto  this  day,  by  the  offering  and  blood 
of  Abel;  by  the  faith  and  obedience  of  Abraham,  Isaac  and 
Jacob;  the  chastity  of  Joseph;  the  patience  of  Job  and  of 
Tobit;  the  excellent  and  manly  confession  of  Eleazer;  the 
mother  and  her  seven  sons,  (Heb.  11,  12;  Rom.  4;  Gen.  39; 
Job  2;  Tob.  2;  2  Mac.  6,  7;)  the  candor,  constancy  and  piety 
of  all  the  pious  before  us;  the  pure,  unspotted  love,  (Heb.  11,) 
humility,  peace,  righteousness  and  pure  voluntary  offering  of 
Jesus  Christ,  who,  according  to  divine  promise,  was  sent  from 
heaven,  in  everlasting  love,  by  God  our  heavenly  Father,  and 
descended  upon  earth  as  an  infallible  teacher,  and  as  an  eternal 
example  of  all  good.     (Matt.  23;  John  13;  1  John  4.) 

My  dearly  beloved  brethren  and  sisters  in  Christ  Jesus,  dis- 
persed abroad  in  every  land,  for  whom,  out  of  pure  Christian 
love  and  duty,  I  have  composed  and  written  this  exhortation, 
I  will  now  draw  to  a  conclusion,  and  I  do  entreat  you,  in  all 
humility,  that  you  consider  well,  in  the  first  place,  the  nature 
of  the  people  who  so  malevolently  persecute  you,  spoiling  your 
property,  and  destroying  your  lives. 

Secondly,  why  they  persecute  and  injure  you.  Thirdly,  that 
all  saints,  as  also  Christ  Jesus  himself  have  suffered  and  all  the 
pious  must  suffer  persecution;  as  may  be  seen.  Fourthly,  how 
futile  all  their  arguments  are,  with  which  they  try  to  excuse 
themselves  of  their  bloody  deeds,  accusing  us,  as  though  they 
did  right,  and  we  merited  every  kind  of  punishment  and  dis- 
grace. 

Fifthly,  how  profitable  and  advantageous  to  us  is  the  cross 
of  Christ,  which,  for  sake  of  the  Lord's  word,  we  must  take  up 
and  bear  daily,  since  it  is  our  desire  to  hear,  believe  and  obey 
Christ  Jesus.  Now,  if  you  consider  with  discretion,  according 
to  the  scriptures,  and  reflect,  in  purity  of  heart,  upon  these 
five  points,  I  have  not  the  least  doubt  that  this  exercise  will 
afford  you  invincible  strength,  and  an  invulnerable  armor  and 
shield  against  all  tribulation,  persecution  and  distress. 

Finally,  I  beseech  and  exhort  you  to  consider  with  earnest 


OF  THE  CROSS  OF  CHBI6T.  321 

diligence  that  wliich  is  promised  to  all  the  conquering  soldiers 
of  Christ  Jesus  in  the  world  to  come,  namely,  the  eternal,  incor- 
ruptible kingdom,  the  crown  of  glory,  and  the  life  unending 
and  immortal.  (1  Pet.  1;  Heb.  10;  2  Tim.  4.)  Therefore,  O 
thou  people  of  God  !  equip  thyself  and  make  ready  for  battle, 
not  with  external  weapons  and  armor,  as  the  blood-thirsty  bar- 
barous world,  but  with  the  firmness  of  confidence,  the  tranquility 
of  patience,  and  the  vehement  ardor  of  prayer.  There  is  no 
alternative,  the  combat  of  the  cross  must  be  maintained,  and 
the  wine-press  of  affliction  must  be  trodden.  O  thou  bride  and 
sister  of  Christ,  prepare  thyself;  the  thorny  crown  must  pierce 
thy  head;  and  the  nails  transfix  thy  hands  and  feet;  thy  person 
must  be  scourged,  and  thy  face  spit  upon.  Gird  thyself  round 
about,  and  be  prepared :  for  thou  must  go  forth  with  thy  Lord 
and  Bridegroom  without  the  city,  bearing  his  reproach.  (Heb. 
13.)  On  Golgotha  thou  must  off"er  up  thy  sacrifice.  Awake 
and  pray,  for  thy  enemies  are  more  numerous  than  the  hairs  of 
thy  head,  more  innumerable  than  the  sand  of  the  sea.  (Esd.  16; 
Tob.  7.)  Though  their  hearts,  hands,  feet  and  swords  are 
exceedingly  red,  and  stained  with  blood,  be  not  dismayed;  for 
God  is  thy  leader.  Thy  life  on  earth  is  an  incessant  warfare. 
Strive  valiantly,  and  thou  shalt  receive  the  promised  crown. 

To  him  that  overcometh  will  I  give  to  eat  of  the  tree  of  life, 
which  is  in  the  midst  of  the  paradise  of  God,  and  of  the  hidden 
and  heavenly  manna.     (Rev.  1.) 

Him  that  overcometh  will  God  make  a  pillar  in  his  temple, 
and  will  write  upon  him  his  name  and  the  name  of  the  new 
Jerusalem. 

He  that  overcometh  shall  not  be  hurt  by  the  second  death. 
He  that  overcometh,  the  same  shall  be  clothed  in  white  raiment; 
and  his  name  shall  not  be  blotted  out  of  the  book  of  life,  but 
Christ  Jesus  will  confess  his  name  before  his  heavenly  Father, 
and  before  his  angels.     (Rev.  3.) 

He  that  overcometh  shall  sit  with  Christ  in  his  throne,  even 
as  Christ  overcame  and  has  sat  down  with  his  Father  on  his 
throne. 

O  thou  soldier  of  God,  prepare  thyself  and  fear  not  !  The 
wine-press  thou  must  tread;  thou  must  go  the  narrow  way,  and 
enter  in  through  the  strait  gate  unto  eternal  life.     (Matt.  7.) 

The  Lord  is  thy  strength,  thy  refuge  and  consolation;  he  flies 
with  thee  to  foreign  lands;  he  is  with  thee  in  fire  and  in  water; 
he  will  never  leave  thee,  nor  forsake  thee ;  yea,  he  will  come 
quickly,  end  his  great  reward  shall  be  with  him. 

Blessed  are  they  which  are  persecuted  for  righteousness' 
sake;  for  theirs  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven.     (Matt.  5.) 

Be  not  grieved  that  thou  art  black;  (Cant.  1;)  thou  art  still 
comely  and  pleasing  to  the  King. 

m 


332  OF  THE  CROSS  OF  CHRIST. 

As  a  rose  thou  must  grow  among  thorns,  and  be  stung  with 
the  prickles.  (Ps.  44.  j  Rejoice,  for  the  King  delighteth  in  thy 
comeliness. 

Though  in  his  first  Appearance  he  was  offered  as  an  innocent 
Lamb,  and  opened  not  his  mouth,  yet  the  time  shall  come  when 
he  will  appear  in  judgment  as  a  triumphant  Prince  and  a 
victorious  King.  (Isa.  53.)  Then  will  our  persecutors  look 
upon  him  whom  they  pierced,  (Rev.  1,)  then  will  they  cry 
aloud  and  exclaim:  Ye  mountains  fall  upon  us,  hide  us  ye 
hills.  (Rev.  6.^  But  you  shall  leap  and  dance  in  excessive  joy 
like  calves  of  the  stall.  CMatt.  4.)  Joy  and  exultation  will 
never  forsake  you;  for  your  King,  Bridegroom  and  Redeemer, 
Christ  Jesus,  will  remain  with  you  forever;  there  shall  be  no 
more  death,  neither  sorrow,  nor  crying,  neither  shall  there  be 
any  more  pain;  and  all  tears  shall  be  wiped  away  from  your 
eyes.     (Rev.  21.) 

Praise,  thanksgiving,  and  glory  to  God  shall  flow  from  your 
mouth  in  an  eternal  stream.  I  repeat  it,  strive,  the  crown  of 
glory  is  prepared — shrink  not,  neither  draw  back;  for  yet  a 
little  while,  and  he  that  shall  come,  will  come,  aud  will  not 
tarry.  The  just  shall  live  by  faith:  but  if  you  draw  back  the 
Lord's  soul  shall  have  no  pleasure  in  you.     (Hab.  2;  Heb.  10.) 

Take  heed  and  watch,  lest  the  fire  of  the  cross  consume  you 
as  wood,  hay  and  stubble,  (2  Cor.  3;  Matt  7,)  and  the  rains 
and  storms  of  persecution  overthrow  the  house-  CMatt.  13.) 
Let  not  the  heat  of  the  sun  wither  the  cross,  lest  like  the  dog 
you  turn  again  to  that  which  you  have  ejected.  (2  Pet.  2.)  Let 
not  your  garments  and  your  feet,  which  you  have  washed, 
become  unclean,  lest  seven  worse  spirits  enter  you,  and  so  the 
last  error  be  worse  than  the  first.  (Luke  12.) 

Therefore,  beloved  brethren  and  sisters  in  the  Lord,  fear 
God  with  all  your  heart,  and  with  all  your  souls,  and  seek  him 
with  all  your  powers.  Watch  night  and  day;  knock  before  the 
throne  of  his  mercy,  that  with  his  paternal  hand  he  may 
support  you  under  every  afiliction,  succor  you  in  trouble  and 
distress,  aud  faithfully  preserve  you  in  his  way,  word  and 
truth,  (Ps.  91,)  that  you  may  not  dash  your  feet  against  a 
stone,  and  so  failing  in  your  profession  and  your  life,  be  over- 
come and  disgraced;  but  that  you  may  preserve  the  treasure, 
intrusted  to  your  care,  pure  and  untarnished  against  that  day, 
and  thus  obtain,  with  all  saints,  the  promised  land,  inheritance, 
kingdom,  life  and  crown.  May  the  Father  of  mercies  and  of 
love  grant  this  unto  you  and  us  through  his  blessed  son,  Jesus 
Christ,  in  the  power  of  his  eternal  Holy  Spirit,  to  his  praise, 
and  everlasting  glory.     Amen  and  Amen. 

Here  according  to  promise,  {page  292)  iTie  Christian  reader  is 
presented  xoith  an  account  of  the  unheard  of^  newly  invented, 


OF  THE  CROSS  OF  CHBIST.  323 

dreadful  martyrdom  of  the  Cliristtans  and  belieders — an  ex- 
tract from  Eusebius  and  others,  Sfc,  Sfc.  The  author  appended 
this  with  the  hope  that  it  would  be  well  received — "  Concerning 

HUMILITY  AND    MEEKNESS    OF    THE    BELIEVING    MaRTYRS    OF 

THAT  DAY."  (Eus.  B.  V.  C.  3.)  Presented  asamivrorfor  the 
present  time. 

They  followed  Christ  Jesus  in  all  humility,  although  they 
were  oft  made  martyrs. 

However,  they  did  not  call  themselves  martyrs  nor  consented 
that  others  should  call  them  such;  but  when  even  one  of  us 
called  them  martyrs  they  reproved  us  severely,  saying :  That 
this  name  properly  belonged  to  Christ,  who  alone  was  the  true 
and  faithful  Martyr  and  witness  of  the  truth,  the  first  born  of 
the  dead  and  the  Restorer  of  eternal  life.  Or  that  this  name 
could  only  appropriately  be  given  to  those  who  after  laying  oft' 
a  testimony  had  departed  this  life  and  gone  to  God.  But  we, 
(say  they, )  as  humble  poor  people,  wish  alone  to  adhere  unde- 
viatingly  to  the  confession,  and  therefore,  they  entreated  the 
other  brethren  with  tears,  that  they  would  pray  to  God  that 
they  might  obtain  the  witness  of  a  martyr,  (full  confession;) 
and  they  were  so  humble,  though  in  truth  they  were  martyrs, 
still  they  avoided  the  honor  of  the  name.  But  among  the 
heathens  they  acted  with  all  constancy,  showed  great  magnan- 
imity, by  scorning  the  offered  insults,  and  through  patience 
suffered.  For  among  the  brethren  they  were  meek,  among  per- 
secutors brave,  a  terror  to  the  refractory,  subject  to  Christ, 
opposing  the  devil;  they  humble  themseWes  under  the  mighty 
hand  of  God  by  which  they  are  now  exalted;  they  favored  all, 
they  accused  none,  relieved  all,  bound  none;  prayed  for  those 
who  persecuted  them,  as  did  Stephen,  saying:  Lord,  lay  not 
this  sin  to  their  charge.  The  devil  opposed  them  powerfully, 
because  they  out  of  great  love,  in  Christ  Jesus,  restored  the 
fallen,  whom  the  devil  would  fain  have  devoured.  They  en- 
treated God  to  give  them  grace  and  constancy,  lest  they  might 
depart  from  the  church  and  become  a  prey  to  the  devil. 

They  preferred  peace  before  every  thing  else,  and  commanded 
us  to  maintain  peace.  They  were  martyred  without  cause  and 
were  conscious  that  they  made  no  discord  among  the  brethren 
and  no  grief  to  the  church;  but  they  admonished  assiduously, 
that  we  should  by  all  means  maintain  and  preserve  peace,  and 
cherish  love  which  is  the  bond  of  union. 

These  things  we  mentioned  for  the  benefit  of  the  reader,  be- 
cause they  have  been  recommended  by  worthy  and  beloved 
men.  And  on  account  of  those  who  deal  so  haughtily  with  the 
brethren — and  when  the  pious  err  through  weakness,  they  have 
no  compassion  upon  them,  as  if  Christ  should  have  no  mercy  on 
them.     We  will  further  relate  what  we  found  in  the  aforemen- 


324        -  OF  THE  CROSS  OF  CHBIST. 

tioned  book.  Thel'e  was  one  among  the  number  apprehended 
for  Christ's  sake,  called  Alcibiades;  he  led  a  strict,  zealous  life; 
he  would  use  no  sustenance  except  bread  and  water.  And  as  he 
was  determined  to  live  thus  abstemiously  in  prison,  it  was  made 
known  to  Allalas  that  Alcibiades  did  wrong,  because  he  would 
not  rightly  use  the  creatures  of  God,  lest  he  might  cause  others 
to  take  offence  thereat.  But  when  Alcibiades  was  informed  of 
the  matter,  he  then  enjoyed  all  things  with  thanksgiving,  for 
there  was  a  spirit  which  taught  him  and  persuaded  him  to 
obey,  &c. 

Afterwards,  Montanus,  Alcibiades  and  Theodotius  were  re- 
*  garded  by  many  in  the  land  of  Phrygia  as  prophets,  for  in  those 
days  many  favors  were  granted  to  some  of  the  churches  through 
the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  so  tliey  believed  that  there  was  im- 
parted the  gift  of  prophecy.  And  when  great  contention  rose 
among  the  brethren,  the  churches  in  France  again  issued  their 
sentence,  with  all  discipline,  reverence  and  the  true  exposition 
of  the  faith,  and  brought  forward  the  epistles  of  the  martyrs, 
who  among  them  ended  their  lives,  which  they  wrote  in  their 
prisons  to  the  brethren  in  Asia  and  Phrygia,  &c. 

The  whole  Bible,  especially  the  11th  chapter  of  the  epistle  to 
the  Hebrews,  speaks  of  the  great  crosses,  tribulation,  the  mar- 
tyrdom and  deaths  of  the  believers.  Here  we  read  of  inhuman, 
cruel  torturings,  such  as  was  not  heard  before  nor  since.  Boil- 
ing water  and  oil  were  poured  upon  their  naked  bodies — they 
were  placed  upon  red  hot  gridirons  and  roasted  there;  their 
members  were  pierced  through  with  sharp  pointed  instruments 
— they  were  scourged,  and  red  hot  irons  were  applied  to  their 
limbs — sharp  thorns  were  thrust  into  their  posterior  and  privates 
— other  indignities  Avere  offered  not  to  be  mentioned — hot  pitch 
was  thrown  into  their  faces — their  eyes  were  bored  out  with 
pointed  irons — they  were  beaten  from  head  to  foot  with  clubs — 
they  were  dragged  through  the  streets  by  their  feet — they  were 
suspended  and  their  flesh  torn  from  them  with  pincers,  that 
their  bodies  were  all  raw,  then  vinegar,  salt  and  lime  were 
mixed  and  poured  upon  them;  they  were  then  rolled  about  up- 
on thorns,  potsherds,  broken  glass  and  other  sharp  instruments, 
and  then  placed  the  tortured  body  upon  a  gridiron,  and  roast- 
ed them  lingeringly  to  protract  the  pain — rolling  the  mangled 
body  backward  and  foi-ward  upon  the  gridiron  till  the  ghost 
was  given  up. 

They  were  cast  before  beasts  of  prey,  such  as  lions,  bears 
and  leopards;  and  before  infuriated  bulls — and  after  repeated 
tortures  were  again  cast  into  prison,  and  after  a  short  time  tor- 
tured them  anew,  which  was  repeated  often,  as  we  read  of  Ma- 
turo,  Sanato,  AUalo  aud  others;  and  above  all,  the  amiable 
Blandina,  -whom  they  tortured  six  different  ways— she  may 


OF  THE  CROSS  OF  CHRIST.  335 

properly  be  called  the  pattern  of  martyrs.  Others  died  in  pris- 
on an  account  of  their  excruciating  pains;  some  were  starved 
to  death — some  women  they  hung  up  by  the  feet  and  suffocated 
with  offensive  smoke — flayed  them,  led  them  about  on  camels, 
and  tore  them  to  pieces  with  tongs;  cast  them  into  privies — 
their  bones  were  broken,  and  they  were  cast  into  clefts  of 
rocks;  their  heads  were  bruised  so  much  till  the  brain  ran 
down  upon  the  earth — cut  off  their  sinews  and  veins,  then 
thrust  them  down  precipices — they  were  first  severely  tortured, 
butchered  like  swine  and  then  cast  into  the  sea — their  abdo- 
men was  cut  open  and  barley  strewn  in,  and  in  this  condition 
they  let  hogs  devour  them — yea,  some  of  the  tyrants  for  fierce 
angerate  pieces  of  their  livers — they  watched  day  and  night,  lest 
their  remains  would  he  taken  and  buried  !  they  were  smeared 
over  with  honey  and  laVd,  and  suspended  in  baskets  in  the  air 
for  flies,  wasps  and  bees  to  eat  them — w^omen  and  virgins  were 
stripped  stark  naked,  and  while  thus  exposed,  they  suspended 
them  by  one  leg,  forcing  the  head  down  and  leaving  them  in 
this  position  for  one  day — they  cut  off  their  breasts — horrible! 
horrible  to  relate  !  !  melted  lead  they  poured  into  their  secrets 
— forced  red  hot  spears  in!  applied  red  hot  iron — sturdy  trees 
they  bent  down  and  tied  a  leg  fast  to  two  trees  and  then  let 
them  spring  up  again,  and  thus  tore  the  women — took  sharp 
splinters  of  pine  wood,  forced  them  under  the  nails  of  their 
hands,  and  then  set  them  on  fire — melted  lead  they  poured 
down  their  backs.  Twenty  sharp  pointed  pieces  were  forced 
under  the  nails  of  one  Benjamin  of  Persia;  this  was  not 
enough,  they  forced  a  sharp  rugged  tube  into  his  urethra — and 
this  was  repeatedly  done — after  this  a  rod  full  of  thorns  was 
taken  and  forced  into  his  posteriors,  till  the  valiant  man  gave 
up  the  ghost.  It  is  impossible,  nay,  incredible,  with  a  few 
words  to  describe  the  unheard  of  cruelties  and  tortures  which 
were  practiced.  Besides  these,  other  modes  of  torturing  were 
invented  and  he  that  succeeded  in  inventing  the  most  cruel 
mode  was  highly  honored  !  The  number  that  were  slain,  like 
beasts,  was  so  great  that  even  the  executioners  became  fatigued 
and  their  swords  became  dull. 

One  king  in  Persia,  as  history  relates,  had  sixteen  thousand 
slain.  But  the  more  the  Christians  were  opposed  the  more 
their  number  increased,  so  powerfully  did  Christ  reign  in  them, 
that  the  heathens  themselves  said:  The  Christian  blood  is  a  true 
seed,  Sfc. 


PLEASING  MEDITATION 


AND 


DEVOUT  CONTEMPLATION, 


TOGETHER  WITH 


CHRISTIAN   DOCTRINES   FOR  A  TROUBLED  AND  ANXIOUS 

CONSCIENCE,  WHICH  IS  OPPOSED  BY  THE  WORLD, 

FLESH,  HELL,  DEATH  AND  THE  DEVIL. 


ON  THE  TWENTY-FIFTH  PSALM, 

CALLED   IN   LATIN 

^ij  it  le&iiM  animant  mtm, 

EXPLAINED  BY  WAY  OF  SUPPLICATION. 


In  my  distress  I  cried  unto  the  Lord  and  he  heard  me.    Deliver  my  soul 
O  Lord,  from  lying  lips,  and  from  a  deceitful  tongue— Psalm  cxx.  1,  2. 

For  other  foundation  can  no  man  lay  than  that  is  laid,  which  Is  Jesus 
Christ.— 1  CoE.  iii.  11. 


PKEFACE. 


Dear  Reader:  it  is  evident  tliat  I  am  cliarged  behind  my  back 
with  many  slanders  and  lies  of  the  envious;  hence  I  have  sought 
briefly  to  express  the  feelings  of  my  whole  heart,  ground,  spirit, 
faith,  doctrine,  seeking,  &c.,  in  short  prayers  on  the  twenty-flfth 
psalm  ;  not  with  words  of  human  wisdom,  nor  logically  or  rhetori' 
eally  ;  for  these  I  possess  not ;  but  in  a  simple  narration  of  my  heart* 
to  show  the  diflerent  dispositions  of  a  true  and  false  Christian,  with 
the  whole  ground  and  hope  of  my  faith,  what  I  maintain  concerning 
Christ  Jesus,  of  his  doctrine,  baptism,  supper,  ordinance,  command 
and  prohibition.  Again:  How  I  am  disposed  towards  lords  and 
princes,  and  towards  all  who  yet  sit  in  the  darkness  of  their  unbe- 
lief, and  know  not  the  light  of  truth,  and  that  I  seek  nothing  else 
upon  earth,  nor  shall  seek  by  the  grace  of  God,  than  the  pure  word 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  that  according  to  the  contents  of  the 
scriptures. 

If  I  do  err,  which  I  hope,  by  the  grace  of  God,  is  not  the  case,  I 
do  pray  every  one,  for  the  Lord's  sake,  that  I  may  not  be  put  to 
shame;  if  any  one  has  more  powerful  writings  and  convincing 
truth,Jthat  he  through  brotherly  exhortation  and  instruction  would 
assisllme,  I  desire  with  my  heart  to  accept  of  it,  if  he  is  right.  Deal 
with  me  as  Christ's  spirit  and  word  teach  ;  if  any  one  can  convince 
me  of  an  error,  by  the  scriptures,  and  if  I  will  not  renounce  it,  but 
continue  obstinate  to  the  word  of  God  and  brotherly  admonition, 
then  practice  upon  me  the  tyranny  ot  Nero,  Diocletian,  or  Maxeri- 
tius,  as  an  obdurate  and  ungodly  heretic ;  for  this  1  stand  prepared, 
although  this  would  be  contrary  to  the  usages  and  doctrines  of  the 
first  church ;  for  it  is  evident  that  they  persecuted  not  on  account 
of  faith  much  less  did  they  kill  them,  but  the  erring  and  heretical 
they  faithfully  admonished,  and  those  who  would  not  return  were 
then  excommunicated.    (Tit.  3.) 

Afterwards,  in  the  time  of  Arius,  they  exiled  them.  Ultimately 
Antichrist's  bloody  tyranny  generally  prevailed.  All  had  to  suffer 
who  did  not  agree  with  the  Pope  in  his  abominations.  It  is  yet  the 
case,  which  alas  !  may  be  plainly  seen  in  many  places. 

Many  who  have  neither  seen  nor  heard  me,  called  me  a  deceiving 
heretic.  This  must  be  all  endiired.  I  am  not  better  than  the  pious 
fathers,  who  had  to  hear  and  suffer !  nevertheless,  I  feel  disposed 
to  give  my  life,  if  it  would  induce  the  world  rightly  to  understand 
my  seeking,  faith  and  doctrine ;  for  I  assuredly  know  that  I  have 
the  word  of  God.  My  reader,  pervert  not  what  I  write.  I  desire 
nothing  else,  before  God,  who  created  me,  than  to  deal  plainly,  with 
a  living  voice,  before  every  one,  as  one  willing  to  be  overcome  by 


330  PREFACE. 

the  spirit  of  Christ,  or  to  overcome ;  for  my  desire  is  that  I  and  many 
with  me  be  saved ;  hence,  it  is  unnecessary  to  use  the  sword  againsr^ 
me ;  if  I  have  not  the  truth,  I  desre  with  all  my  heart  to  be  in. 
stiucted  in  it ;  but  if  I  have,  you  then  do  not  persecute  me,  but  him 
who  is  the  truth,  Christ  Jesus. 

Again,  I  say,  with  Christ's  spirit  and  word  I  desire  to  overcome> 
or  to  be  overcome.  In  this  I  appeal  to  all  the  world.  But  it  is  in 
vain— the  truth  they  will  reject,  and  maintain  and  defend  lies  with 
the  sword;  for  It  is  the  true  disposition  and  manner  of  Antichrist 
to  defame,  slander,  apprehend,  torture,  burn  and  murder  contrary 
to  the  spirit  and  word  of  God.  But  the  Lord  will  see  and  judge  it. 
(2  Chron.  14.) 

I  would,  therefore,  faithfully  admonish  the  reader  that  he  would 
zealously  and  earnestly  strive  after  the  kingdom  of  God,  and  ex. 
amine  this  Psalm  >ith  assiduity— every  word  of  it,  with  a  submis. 
sive,  humble  heart ;  I  hope  he  \vill  find,  by  the  grace  of  God,  in  the 
examination,  and  see  clearly,  the  true  difference  between  a  believer 
and  an  unbeliever. 

May  God,  the  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  grant  the  reader 
a  zealous,  ardent  heart,  a  sincere,  active  faith,  unfeigned  Christian 
love,  and  obedience  to  his  holy  word,  through  Christ  Jesus,  his 
beloved  Son  our  Lord,  to  whom  be  everlasting  praise.    Amen. 


THE   TWENTY-FIFTH  PSALM  EXPLAINED 

BY  WAY  OF  SUPPLICATION. 

Unto  thee,  O  Lord,  do  1  lift  up  my  soul;  0  my  God,  I  trust 
in  thee;  let  me  not  be  ashamed. 

O  Lord,  thou  that  bearest  rule,  Lord  of  heaven  and  earth,  I 
call  thee  Lord,  though  I  am  not  worthy  to  be  called  thy  servant; 
from  my  youth  I  did  not  serve  thee,  but  thy  enemy,  the  devil; 
him  I  served  diligently,  nevertheless,  I  do  not  doubt  thy  grace; 
for  I  find  in  the  word  of  thy  truth  that  thou  art  a  bountiful, 
rich  Lord  to  all  those  who  call  upon  thee.  Therefore,  I  call 
unto  thee:  O  Lord  hear  me,  hear  me,  O  Lord  !  (Matt,  11;  Joel 
1;  Rom.  10.)  With  full  confidence  and  assurance,  I  lift  up, 
not  my  head  or  my  hands  as  the  hypocrites  do  in  the  syna- 
gogues, but  my  soul.  (Matt  6.)  I  lifted  up  my  heart,  not  to 
Abraham,  for  he  never  knew  us,  nor  to  Israel,  for  he  never  had 
knowledge  of  us,  but  alone  to  thee,  for  thou  art  our  Lord  and 
Father,  thou  art  our  Redeemer,  this  is  thy  name  of  days  of 
yore,  as  the  prophet  says.  (Isa.  64.)  Hence  it  is,  dear  Lord, 
that  I  trust  in  thee,  for  I  truly  know  that  thou  art  a  faithful 
God  over  all  who  trust  in  thee.  (Isa.  43.)  If  I  am  in  darkness, 
thou  art  my  light;  am  I  in  prison,  thou  art  with  me;  am  I  for- 
saken, thou  art  my  comfort;  am  I  in  death,  thou  art  my  life; 
if  they  curse  me,  thou  dost  bless;  if  they  grieve  me,  thou  dost 
comfort;  CPs.  9;)  if  they  wilt  slay  me,  thou  wilt  raise  me  up; 
and  if  I  walk  in  the  dark  valley,  thou  wilt  ever  be  with  me. 
(Ps.  9.)  It  is  right,  O  Lord,  that  I  lift  up  my  grieved  and  mis- 
erable soul  to  thee,  trust  in  thy  i)romise,  and  am  not  ashamed. 
CPs.  33.) 

Let  not  mine  enemies  triumph  over  me;  yea^  let  none  that 
xcait  on  thee  he  ashamed. 

O  Lord  of  hosts.  Lord  of  lords,  I  am  weak,  miserable  and  in 
great  distress;  nevertheless,  I  fear  not  the  sensual  scoffing  of 
my  enemies;  but  I  fear  greatly,  lest  I  deny  thy  adorable  and 
revered  name,  and  depart  from  thy  truth,  and  that  they  rejoice 
over  my  weakness  and  the  transgression  of  thy  will,  and  mock 
me  and  say  :  Where  is  thy  God  now?  Where  is  thy  Christ? 
And  that  thine  divine  honor  be  thus  reproached  through  me. 
O  Lord,  preserve  me ;  keep  me,  O  Lord  !  for  my  enemies  are 


333  THE  TWENTY-FIFTH  PSALM. 

strong  and  many;  yea,  more  numerous  than  the  hairs  of  my 
head,  and  the  spires  of  grass  in  the  fields ;  my  unclean  flesh  is 
never  at  rest;  satan  encompasselh  me  as  a  roaring  lion,  that  he 
may  devour  me;  (Rom.  7;  1  Pet.  3;)  the  blood-thirsty,  revenge- 
ful world  is  determined  upon  my  life;  they  also  hate,  persecute, 
burn  and  murder  those  who  seek  thy  praise.  Wretched  man,  I 
know  not  whither  to  go,  misery,  tribulation,  fear  and  dread  are 
on  every  side;  strife  within,  and  persecution  without.  I  say 
with  king  Josaphat:  If  I  know  not  whither  to  go,  I  lift  my  eyes 
unto  thee,  and  depend  only  on  thy  grace  and  mercy,  as  Abra- 
ham in  Gerar,  Jacob  in  Mesopotamia,  Joseph  in  Egypt,  Moses 
in  Midian,  Israel  in  the  wilderness,  David  in  the  mountains, 
Hezekiah  in  Jerusalem,  the  young  men  in  the  fiery  furnace, 
Daniel  in  the  lion's  den;  yea,  all  the  pious  fathers  trusted  in 
thee,  and  were  not  made  ashamed.  (2  Chron.  23;  Gen.  20,  28, 
37;  Exod.  2,  15,  17;  Isa.  36;  1  Sam.  26;  Dan.  3,  6;  Ps.  11.) 

Let  tJiem  he  ashamed  which  transgress  without  a  cause. 

0  Lord,  thou  that  bearest  rule,  even  as  thy  merciful  grace  is 
over  all  who  fear  thee,  so  also  is  thy  fierce  ire  over  all  who 
despise  thee,  (Exod.  34,)  who  walk  after  their  lusts,  and  dare 
to  say  with  all  fools:  There  is  no  God;  we  have  made  a  covenant 
with  death,  and  with  hell  an  agreement;  God  knoweth  not  what 
we  do,  thick  clouds  are  a  covering  to  him  that  he  seeth  not  the 
works  of  men;  we  will  eat  and  drink,  to-morrow  we  will  die; 
(Ps.  13;  Isa.  28;)  for  our  life  is  short  and  full  of  trouble,  and 
there  is  no  consolation  when  we  have  gone  hence;  we  will  live 
in  affluence  and  use  the  creatures  as  we  desire;  (Job  22;  2  Cor. 
18;)  we  will  oppress  the  poor,  defraud  the  righteous,  we  will 
condemn  him  with  the  most  disgraceful  death.  (Wisd.  2.)  O, 
dear  Lord,  thus  does  the  world  err,  and  live  every  where  in  the 
lusts  of  the  flesh,  lust  of  the  eyes,  and  in  the  pride  of  life;  (1 
John  2;)  in  vain  deceit,  unrighteousness  and  tyranny,  wherever 
we  turn.  Few  are  they  who  fear  thy  name.  Paul  says:  To  be 
carnally  minded  is  death;  sentence  is  already  passed;  if  we  live 
according  to  the  flesh  we  must  die;  so  teach  the  scriptures;  if 
we  do  not  repent  there  is  nothing  more  certain  than  fierce  anger. 
Therefore,  dear  Lord,  threaten  thou,  reprove,  admonish  and 
teach;  perhaps  they  may  sometime  repent,  know  the  truth  and 
be  saved;  they  are  the  works  of  thy  hands,  created  after  thy 
image;  dearly  bought,  let  them  not  be  confounded  like  Cain, 
Sodom,  Pharaoh  and  Antiochus  with  all  those  who  have  trans- 
gressed without  a  cause.  (2  Tim.  1;  Gen.  1,  2,  4,  19;  1  Cor.  7; 
1  Pet.  1;  Exod.  14;  2  Mace.  9.) 

Shew  me  thy  ways,  0  Lord;  teach  me  thy  paths. 


THE  TWENTY-FIFTH  PSALM.  333 

0  Lord  of  hosts,  I  know  through  the  word  of  thy  grace  that 
there  is  but  one  way  which  leadeth  to  life,  which  is  "strait  and 
narrow  for  the  flesh,  (Matt  7;  2  Esd.  7,)  beset  with  thorns  and 
dangers  all  around,  and  is  found  by  few,  and  still  fewer  walk 
therein,  it  is  like  a  treasure  hid  in  a  field  which  none  can  iind 
but  he  to  whom  it  is  shown  by  the  spirit.  (Matt.  13.)  Dear 
Lord,  there  is  no  way  but  thou  alone,  all  who  walk  through 
thee  will  find  the  gates  of  life.  (John  14.)  There  is  another  Avay 
which  seems  very  pleasant  to  the  flesh,  which  appears  soft, 
smooth  and  broad,  strewed  with  roses,  pleasant  and  agreeable 
to  the  eye,  but  its  end  leads  to  death.  On  this  way  the  whole 
world  walks,  unconcerned  and  without  fear,  arid  prefers  things 
perishable  to  imperishable,  evil  to  good,  and  darkness  to  the 
light  of  the  world.  They  all  walk  on  the  perverse,  broad  and 
crooked  way;  they  become  faint  in  the  way  of  unrighteousness, 
and  know  not  the  way  of  the  Lord.  (Wis.  5.)  It  is  true,  the 
way  of  error  seems  right  in  the  eyes  of  fools,  but  I  know  through 
thy  spirit  and  word  that  it  is  the  certain  road  to  the  abyss  of 
hell.  Therefore,  I  entreat  thee,  dear  Lord,  be  merciful  to  me  a 
poor  sinner,  show  me  thy  path,  and  teach  me  thy  way;  for  thy 
way  is  the  right  way,  godly  and  pleasant,  humble,  chaste,  full 
of  peace  and  of  ^^\l  good,  and  will  lead  my  soul  to  eternal  life. 

Lead  me  in  thy  trutli  and  teacli  me:  for  tlioxi  art  the  God  of 
my  salvation;  on  thee  do  I  wait  all  the  day. 

O  Lord  !  Lord  !  My  tears,  says  David,  have  been  my  meat 
day  and  night.  (Fs.  42.)  My  heart  within  me  quakes,  my 
strength  forsakes  me,  and  the  light  of  my  eyes  is  dim,  and  this 
on  account  of  the  innumerable  dangers  and  snares  which  beset 
my  soul.  I  am  in  constant  fear  lest  I  be  led  from  the  way  of 
truth  by  misapprehension  or  through  the  deceit  of  satan.  O 
Lord,  the  subtlety  of  the  learned  is  great;  satan  uses  his  wiles 
artfully,  some  teach  but  the  doctrines  and  commandments  of  men 
which  are  fruitless  and  corrupt  trees.  (2  Cor.  11;  Job.  4;  Judges. 
1.)  Some  cry  only  grace,  spirit  and  Christ,  and  daily  trample 
on  grace,  grieve  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  crucify  the  Son  with  their 
vain,  sensual  life,  as  is  evident.  Some  who  had  before  escaped 
Babylon,.  Egypt  and  Sodom,  and  taken  upon  them  the  yoke  and 
cross  of  Christ,  are  again  devoured  by  satan,  and  so  decceived 
by  the  false  prophets,  as  if  they  had  never  known  the  word  and 
will.  (Ps.  90.)  Yea,  seven  spirits,  alas!  worse  than  the  former, 
entered  them,  (Luke  11,)  although  they  cloak  themselves  under 
thy  word,  ordinances,  and  pretend  that  it  was  thy  pleasure, 
word  and  will,  although  thou  never  didst  think  upon,  much  less 
didst  thou  desire  it;  on  account  of  which  I  am  more  grieved, 
uU  of  sorrow  of  heart,  well  knowing  that  thy  true  word  is  no 


334  THE  TWENTY-FIFTH  PSALM. 

deceiving  lie,  as  they  teach,  but  it  is  the  truth  which  thy  infal- 
lible mouth  taught  here  upon  earth  and  in  this  grievous  world. 
All  who'  are  of  the  truth  hear  thy  voice,  as  the  voice  of  their 
own  shepherd,  (John  17, )  and  the  true  bridegroom,  but  the  voice 
of  a  stranger  they  flee,  (John  10,)  always  fearing  lest  they  might 
be  deceived.  O  Lord,  remember  thy  afflicted  and  poor  servant; 
thou  art  a  searcher  of  all  hearts,  thou  knowest  me  that  I  seek 
nothing  but  thy  will.  (Jer.  8, 17.)  Therefore,  dear  Lord,  direct 
me  to  thy  truth,  and  teach  me;  for  thou  art  the  God  of  my  sal- 
vation; besides  thee  I  acknowledge  none  other;  thou  art  my 
hope,  my  comfort,  shield,  defence  and  fortress  upon  which  I 
depend  with  confidence,  and  wait  upon  it  in  fear,  misery,  trib- 
ulation and  need.  (Isa.  43.) 

Bememler,  0  Lord,  thy  tender  mercies^  and  thy  loving  kind- 
ness, for  they  have  been  ever  of  old. 

O  Lord  of  hosts,  when  I  am  buoyed  up  in  the  waters  of  thy 
grace,  I  find  that  I  cannot  fathom  or  measure  them,  for  thy 
mercies  are  greater  than  all  thy  works.  Who  is  it.  Lord,  that 
ever  came  to  thee  with  a  pious  heart  that  thou  didsjt  reject  ? 
Who  ever  sought  thee  and  found  thee  not  ?  Who  did  ever  de- 
sire help  of  thee  and  did  not  obtain  it?  And  who  ever  prayed  for 
thy  grace  and  did  not  receive  it  ?  And  who  ever  called  upon 
thee  that  thou  didst  not  hear?  Yea,  dear  Lord,  how  many  didst 
thou  accept  in  grace,  who,  according  to  thy  strict  justice,  mer- 
ited otherwise.  Adam  departed  from  thee  and  believed  the 
counsel  of  the  serpent,  (Tit.  3;  Gen.  3,)  he  broke  thy  covenant 
and  was  found  a  child  of  death  before  thee;  thy  paternal  kind- 
ness did  not  reject  him,  but  thou  didst  seek  him  graciously,  thou 
didst  call  and  reprove  him,  and  his  nudity  thou  didst  cover  with 
coats  of  skin,  and  so  graciously  comforted  him  with  the  prom- 
ised seed.  Paul,  thy  chosen  vessel,  raved  like  a  roaring  lion  and 
a  devouring  wolf  in  thy  holy  mountain,  nevertheless,  thy  grace 
..shone  around  him  in  his  blindness  and  illuminated  him ;  thou 
calledst  him  from  heaven,  and  didst  choose  him  as  an  holy 
apostle  and  as  servant  of  thy  house.  I  also,  dear  Lord,  the 
greatest  of  all  sinners,  and  the  least  among  all  the  saints,  am 
called  thy  child  or  servant,  for  I  have  sinned  against  heaven 
and  before  thee,  (Luke  15;)  although  I  did  resist  thy  precious 
word  and  thy  holy  will,  with  all  my  powers,  before  this  with 
open  eyes,  and  with  full  understanding;  I  disputed,  taught  and 
lived  after  the  ease  of  the  flesh,  and  sought  my  own  praise  more 
than  thy  righteousness,  honor  word  and  truth;  nevertheless, 
thy  paternal  grace  did  not  forsake  me,  a  wretched  sinner  ;  but 
received  me  in  love,  converted  me  to  another  mind,  led  me  with 
thy  right  hand  and  taught  by  thy  Holy  Ghost,  till  I  voluntarily 


THE  TWENTY-FIFTH  PSALM.  335 

fouglit  against  the  world,  flesh  and  the  devil,  renounced  all  my 
pleasure,  peace,  glory,  lust  and  the  ease  of  the  flesh,  and  wil- 
lingly submitted  to  the  pressing  cross  of  our  Lord  Christ  Jesus, 
that  I  may  inherit  the  promised  kingdom  with  all  the  valiant 
of  God  and  the  disciples  of  CLrist.  Again,  I  say:  thy  mercies 
are  greater  than  all  thy  works;  therefore,  dear  Lord  assist  me, 
stand  by  me,  comfort  me,  a  poor  sinner,  my  soul  is  in  great  dis- 
tress, and  the  dangers  of  hell  surround  me;  help,  Lord,  and 
Ijreserve  me,  and  be  not  angry;  remember,  O  Lord,  thy  great 
mercies,  of  which  all  are  made  partakers  who  have  graciously 
waited  upon  thy  holy  name,  and  remember,  O  Lord,  thy 
tender  mercies,  and  thy  loving  kindness,  for  they  have  been 
of  old. 

Remember  not  the  sins  of  my  youtJt,  nor  my  transgressions; 
according  to  thy  mercy  remember  thou  me,  for  thy  goodness'  sake, 
O  Lord. 

O  Lord,  thou  that  bearest  rule,  I  was  shapen  in  iniquity  and 
in  sin  did  my  mother  conceive  me,  (Ps.  51.)  I  am  of  sinful  flesh, 
through  which  Adam's  seed  has  been  sown  on  my  heart,  where  so 
much  misery  has  grown  up.  I,  miserable  sinner,  did  not  know  my 
infirmities,  so  long  as  they  Avere  not  manifested  to  me  by  the 
spirit.  I  thought  I  was  a  Christian ;  but  when  I  saw  rightly,  I 
found  myself  without  thy  word,  altogether  earthly  and  sensual; 
my  light  was  darkness;  my  truth  was  lies;  my  righteousness 
sin;  my  worship  open  idolatry;  my  life  certain  death.  O  dear 
Lord,  I  knew  my  self  not  till  I  vie  wed  myself  in  thy  word,  (James 
1,)  then  I  learned  to  know, with  Paul,  my  blindness,  nakedness, 
uncleanness,  my  depraved  nature,  (Rom.  7;  Gal.  3,)  that  nothing 
good  dwelt  in  my  flesh.  I  was  full  of  wounds,  and  bruises  and 
putrefying  sores  from  the  sole  of  the  foot  even  to  the  head.  (Isa. 
1.)  Ah,  alas,  my  gold  was  dross:  my  wheat  chaff,  all  my  ser- 
vices were  deceit  and  lies,  I  followed  before  thee  the  things  of 
the  flesh,  my  thoughts  were  sensual,  my  words  and  works  with- 
out the  fear  of  God;  my  watching  and  sleeping  were  unclean; 
my  prayer  hypocrisy.  In  short,  I  did  nothing  without  sin.  O 
Lord,  remember  not  the  sins  of  my  youth,  those  committed 
knowingly  and  unknowingly,  which  were  so  numerously  com- 
mitted, nor  my  daily  transgressions,  which  I  am  guilty  of  in  my 
great  weakness,  but  remember  me  according  to  tliy  great  good- 
ness; I  am  blind,  enlighten  thou  me;  naked  I  am,  clothe  thou 
me;  I  am  wounded,  heal  thou  me;  dead  I  am,  raise  me  up.  I 
know  of  no  shelter,  light,  medicine,  or  life  except  thee;  accept 
of  me  graciously,  grant  me  thy  mercy,  favor  and  faith,  fullness, 
and  thy  good  will,  O  Lord.  (Ecc.  7;  Gen.  3;  John  8,  11,  Ezek. 
16;  Wis.  16;  Matt.  9;  John  11.) 


336  THE  TWENTY-FIFTH  PSALM. 

Good  and  upright  is  the  Lord;  fherefore,  will  he  teach  sinners 
in  the  way. 

O  Lord  of  hosts,  althougli  I  walk  so  unrighteously  before  thee 
from  my  youth,  that  I  am  ashamed  to  lift  my  eyes  to  thee  in 
heaven,  nevertheless,  I  appear  at  thy  throne  of  grace;  for  I 
know  that  thou  art  merciful  and  kind,  and  desirest  not  the  death 
of  the  sinner,  (Ezek.  18,)  but  that  he  repent  and  live.  Thou 
didst  send  forth  thy  faithful  servant  Moses,  who  gave  Israel  the 
law  by  the  disposition  of  angels,  (Exod.  19,  20;  Acts  7,)  also 
thy  servants  and  prophets  who  preached  the  way  of  repentance, 
and  broke  the  bread  of  life  for  the  people,  (Deut.  5;  Gal.  8;3 
sin  they  reproved  earnestly;  proclaimed  thy  grace  far  abroad, 
and  taught  the  truth;  thy  sharp  piercing  word  was  in  their 
mouth,  their  light  shone  as  the  golden  lights,  they  were  as 
flowering  olive  trees,  (Heb.  4;  Exod.  25;  Eccl.  50,)  as  a  sweet 
smell  of  an  apothecary,  yea,  as  the  fair  mountain  strewed  with 
roses  and  lilies,  (2  Esd.  1;)  nevertheless,  they  did  not  desire 
them,  but  thrust  them  out  furiously,  derided,  persecuted,  and 
delivered  them  unto  death;  still  the  wells  of  thy  mercy  flowed, 
thou  didst  send  thy  beloved  Son,  the  dear  pledge  of  thy  grace, 
who  preached  thy  word,  fulfilled  thy  righteousness,  accom- 
plished thy  will,  bore  our  sins,  blotted  them  out  by  his  word 
and  brought  about  reconciliation,  conquered  the  devil,  hell,  sin 
and  death;  and  obtained  grace,  mercy,  favor  and  peace  for  all, 
who  truly  believe  on  him,  (John  8,  12;  1  John  4;  2  John  1;  Rev. 
1,  j  his  command  is  eternal  life,  he  sent  out  his  messengers  and 
ministers  of  peace,  his  apostles,  who  spread  this  grace  abroad 
through  the  whole  world,  (Matt.  28;  Mark  16,)  who  shone  as 
bright  burning  torches  before  all,  that  they  might  lead  me  and 
all  erring  sinners  into  the  true  way.  O  Lord,  not  unto  me,  but 
unto  thee  be  praise  and  honor,  (Ps.  115,)  their  words  I  love, 
their  usages  I  observe,  thy  Son  Christ  Jesus  whom  they  preached 
to  me  I  believe,  I  seek  his  will  and  way,  thy  abundant,  great 
love  I  know,  not  through  me,  but  through  thee,  for  thou  art 
good,  and  I  am  evil,  thou  art  true,  and  I  am  deceitful;  thou  ai-t 
righteous,  and  I  am  unrighteous;  instruct  me,  dear  Lord;  teach 
me  in  the  right  way,  foster  me  for  I  am  of  thy  pasture,  take  me 
into  thy  tabernacle,  under  the  shadow  of  thy  wings,  protect  me; 
for  I  am  greatly  tormented,  I  am  poor  and  wretched,  and  am 
grieved  unto  death. 

The  meek  will  he  guide  in  judgment,  and  the  meek  he  icill 
teach  his  way. 

O  Lord,  thou  that  bearest  rule,  thy  divine  grace  has  shone 
around  me,  thy  word  has  taught  rae,  thy  Holy  Spirit  has  influ- 


THE  TWEKTY-FIFTH  PSALM.  337 

enccd  me  till  I  forsook  the  course  of  the  ungodlT,  tlic  way  of 
sinners,  tLe  seat  of  scorners,  (Ps.  1,)  I  was  ungodly,  and  carried 
the  standard  of  unrighteousness  for  many  years;  I  was  a  chief 
one  in  all  manner  of  folly;  idle  words,  vanity,  gambling,  drink- 
ing, eating  to  excess  were  my  pastime;  the  fear  of  Ctod  was  not 
before  my  eyes;  besides,  I  was  a  lord  and  a  prince  in  Babel, 
every  one  sought  me,  the  world  loved  me  and  had  my  affections; 
I  had  the  first  place  at  feasts  and  in  synagogues;  I  had  the  pre- 
ference among  all  men,  I  was  respected  of  the  aged,  every  one 
revered  me;  when  I  spcke,  they  were  silent;  when  I  nodded, 
they  came;  when  I  bid  them  depart,  they  went;  what  I  desired 
they  did;  my  words  prevailed  in  all  tilings;  the  desire  of  my 
heart  was  granted;  but  as  soon  as  I,  with  Solomon,  saw  that  all 
was  vanity,  and  with  Paul,  esteemed  all  as  nothing,  (Phil  3; 
Ezek,  1,  2,  10,)  renounced  the  ungodliness  of  this  world,  sought 
thee  and  thy  kingdom  which  will  abide  in  eternity,  I  have  found 
evei'y where  the  counterpart  and  reverse;  before  I  was  honored, 
now  I  am  dishonored;  before  all  was  love,  now  hatred,  before  I 
had  fiiends,  now  they  are  my  enemies;  before  I  was  considered 
wise,  now  a  fool;  before  pious,  now  wicked;  before  a  Christian, 
now  a  heretic;  yea,  I  have  become  an  abomination  and  evil-doer 
to  all.  O  Lord,  comfort  me,  preserve  thy  troubled  servant;  for 
I  am  ex;ceedingly  poor  and  wretched,  iny  sins  rise  up  against  me; 
the  whole  world  hates  and  mocks  me;  lords  and  princes  perse- 
cute me;  the  learned  curse  and  slander  me;  my  dearest  friends 
forsake  me,  and  those  who  were  near  me,  stand  aloof;  who  will 
have  mercy  on  me  and  receive  me'?  Miserable  am  T,  dear  Lord, 
have  mercy  on  me  and  receive  me  with  honor;  for  there  is  none 
that  can  preserve  me,  but  thou;  therefore,  I  entreat  the  Lord, 
vouchsafe  thine  ear  to  supplication,  lead  me  by  the  right  hand, 
lead  me  in  the  right  way  lest  I  stumble  upon  the  dark  moun- 
tains (Jer.  13.)  I  see  that  the  children  of  men  do  neither  teach 
nor  do  right;  deceit  and  hypocrisy  are  in  all  flesh,  (Rom.  3;j 
the  deceiving  sects  are  great  and  many;  every  one  avers  his  as 
if  it  were  built  upon  a  rock,  yet  they  have  not  thy  truth.  There- 
fore, dear  Lord,  teach  me  thy  truth  and  cast  me  not  off  from 
thy  presence,  for  I  am  miserable,  I  am  in  the  midst  of  lions  and 
bears,  which  seek  to  destroy  my  soul,  and  thrust  me  from  the 
way  of  truth.  O  Lord,  strengthen  me,  keep  me  in  thy  way  for 
I  assuredly  know  that  it  is  infallible  truth  and  the  sure  way,  of 
peace. 

All  the  pat1i»  of  the  Lord  are  mercy  and  truth  unto  such  a^ 
keep  Jiis  covenant  and  his  testimoniea. 

O  Lord  of  hosts,  they  all  boast  of  Ihy  grace  and  favor,  al- 
though they,  in  all  their  works,  prove  themselves  children  of 

L3 


33S  THE   TWENTY-FIFTH  I'SALM. 

wrath;  they  lie  and  cheat,  eat  and  drmk,  arc  guilty  of  adultery 
and  fornication,  they  covet  and  hoard  up,  curse  and  swear  with- 
out bounds,  and  all  this  they  cloak  with  thy  grace  and  the  blood 
of  Christ;  every  one  sings  lustily:  The  mercy  of  the  Lord  is 
great — Christ  died  for  our  sins — our  doings  are  unjust,  sinful 
and  fruitless.  It  is  true,  dear  Lord,  in  the  true  sense  of  the 
word,  that  they  have  no  lot  in  thee,  and  their  hope  is  vain,  their 
labor  is  without  fruit,  and  their  works  useless;  yea,  their  hope 
is  like  thistle-down  before  the  winds,  (Wis.  4,  5;  1  Cor.  6;  Gal. 
5:  Eph.  5:  Ps.  103,)  they  will  have  no  part  in  thy  kingdom;  for 
they  are  still  impenitent,  and  believe  not  thy  truth.  Alas!  they 
know  not  that  thy  mercy  is  forever  over  those  who  fear  thee 
and  keep  thy  covenant.  (Ps.  34. )  Thy  goodness,  says  David,  is 
extended  to  the  saints,  thine  eyes  are  upon  the  righteous,  and 
thy  ears  are  open  to  their  cries,  but  thy  face  is  against  them 
that  do  evil,  to  cut  off  the  remembrance  of  them  from  the  earth. 
(1  Pet.  3.)  I  am  thy  friend  if  I  do  what  thou  didst  command. 
(John  15.)  It  is  true,  dear  Lord,  that  Christ  was  bestowed  to 
us,  and  died  for  us,  but  not  in  such  a  way  that  we  are  to  live 
according  to  our  wicked  lusts,  and  sinful  will,  but  according  to 
thy  good  will,  word  and  command.  Lord,  I  know  that  thou  art 
no  less  righteous  than  good,  thou  hatest  the  evil,  and  lovest  the 
good,  (Prov.  18, )  for  to  the  good  thou  art  kind,  but  to  the  wicked 
thou  wilt  in  due  time  appear  as  a  righteous  Judge.  What  did 
the  pure  blood  of  the  eternal  covenant  demand  of  Cain  and 
Judah,  because  they  despised  thy  grace  and  excluded  themselves 
from  the  merits  of  thy  Son?  (1  Cor.  1.)  What  does  it  profit 
Pilate,  Herod,  Annas  and  Caiaphas  to  have  seen  thy  fountain 
of  grace,  Jesus  Christ — nay,  touched  him,  and  yet  condemned 
to  the  accursed  death  of  the  cross,  the  immaculate  Lamb,  the 
King  of  glory  !  But  they,  who,  like  Abel,  Enoch,  Noah,  Abra- 
ham, Isaac  and  Jacob,  did  keep  thy  covenant  and  preserve  thy 
testimony,  to  them  thy  ways  are  peace  and  joy;  yea,  altogether 
mercy,  kindness  and  truth.   (Lev.  22;  Gal.  3.) 

For  thy  names  sake,  0  Lokd,  p^n-don  mine  iniquity;  for  it 
is  great. 

O  Lord  !  Lord,  I  pray  thee  with  holy  David,  (Ps.  3,  C,)  rebuke 
me  not  in  thine  anger,  neither  chasten  me  in  thy  hot  displeasure; 
for  my  loins  are  filled  with  a  loathsome  disease,  and  there  is  no 
soundness  in  my  flesh;  my  sins  have  borne  me  down;  there  is 
no  peace  in  my  bones.  From  the  bottom  of  my  heart  I  humble 
myself  with  beloved  Daniel.  (Dan.  9.)  O  dear  Lord  !  O  thou 
great  and  terrible  God  !  I  have  sinned,  and  done  unjustly 
before  thee;  I  have  beeu  ungodly,  I  wandered  from  thee  and 
walked    not  in  thy  commands  and   statutes,  thy    proffered 


THE  TWENTY-FIFTH  PSALM.  339 

grace  I  rejected;  thy  holy  ^YO^cl  I  thrust  from  me;  thy  beloved 
Lord  I  crucified,  I  grieved  thj  Holy  Spirit,  I  acted  unjustly 
in  all  my  doings.  O  Lord,  the  multitude  of  my  sins  frighten 
me,  there  is  no  evil  but  what  I  am  guilty  of.  I  was  as  envious 
as  Cain;  proud  and  unchaste  as  Sodom;  unmerciful  as  Pha- 
raoh; refractory  as  Korah;  lascivious  as  Simri;  disobedient  as 
Saul;  idolatrous  as  Jeroboam;  hypocritical  as  Joab;  haughty 
as  Nebuchadnezzar;  covetous  as  Balaam;  drunken  as  Nabal; 
insolent  as  Sanacherib;  blasphemous  as  Rabsaces;  blood- 
thirsty as  Herod;  lying  as  Annanias.  (Gen.  4,  18;  Exod.  14; 
Num.  16,  84,  35;  1  Sam.  15;  1  Kings  13;  Dan.  4;  Isa.  36,  37; 
Acts  5,  11.)  Yea,  I  say  with  king  Manasseh:  That  my  sins 
are  more  numerous  than  the  sands  of  the  sea  shore  and  the 
stars  in  the  heavens;  they  trouble  by  day  and  by  night;  nothing 
good  dwells  in  my  llesh.  (Rom.  7.)  All  that  I  seek  is  un- 
righteousness and  sin ;  that  which  I  would  not  that  I  seek  and 
do;  I  miserable  man  know  not  whither  to  go;  if  I  go  into  myself 
I  find  great  faults,  impure  desires,  a  vessel  of  sins;  if  I  go  to 
my  neighbor,  he  has  nothing  to  give  me,  but  here  nothing  else 
avails,  but  thy  word  only.  (Wis.  16.  j  The  wages  of  sin,  says 
Paul,  is  death;  but  thy  grace  is  eternal  life.  This  grace  I  seek 
and  desire;  for  this  is  the  only  ointment  which  can  heal  my 
soul.  This  is  what  the  sinful  woman  availed  herself  of,  (Luke 
7,)  as  soon  as  she  was  sensible  of  her  wants.  This  is  what 
wounded  David  availed  himself  of  when  he  disgraced  Bathsheba 
the  wife  of  Uriah,  and  slew  him.  (3  Sam.  12.)  Great  was  his 
distress,  he  saw  his  wickedness  and  said:  I  have  sinned  against 
the  Lord.  He  desired  balm;  O  God  !  said  he,  according  to  the 
multitude  of  thy  tendei'  mercies  blot  out  my  transgressions; 
wash  me  thoroughly  from  mine  iniquity,  and  cleanse  me  from 
my  sin.  (Ps.  51.)  In  the  same  hour  he  heard  the  gracious 
word  of  the  prophet:  Thy  sins  are  forgiven  thee.  His  troubled 
heart  was  quieted — he  praised  his  name,  proclaimed  his  mercy, 
and  exalted  his  grace  above  all  his  works.  O  Lord  !  O  dear 
Lord  !  I,  a  grieved  sinner,  have  the  same  disease,  I  desire  the 
same  balm,  and  I  do  desire  help  from  thee;  I  seek  only  com- 
fort with  thee,  O  Lord,  for  thy  holy  name's  sake.  Help  me, 
that  I  may  eternally  praise  thee.  Wash  me  from  all  my  sins, 
and  be  merciful  to  me  in  all  my  transgressions,  for  they  are 
great. 

What  man  is  lie  iliat  feareih  the  Lord?  IIwi  he  shall  teach  in 
the  way  that  he  shall  choose, 

O  Lord,  thou  that  bearestrule,  thy  path  is  the  path  of  peace, 
blessed  is  he  that  walketh  therein;  for  we  find  mercy,  love, 
righteousness,  humility,  obedience  and  patience  in  her  ways. 


MO  THE  TWEKTY-FIFTH  PSALM. 

She  clothes  the  naked,  feeds  the  hungry,  she  gives  drink  to  the 
thirsty,  entertains  the  needy,  she  reproves,  threatens,  comforts 
and  admonishes;  she  is  temperate,  honest  and  chaste,  upright 
in  all  her  ways;  none  take  offence  at  her,  her  goings  forth  are 
to  eternal  life,  but  few  there  are  that  find  her.  I  fear,  dear 
Lord,  that  there  are  scarce  ten  of  a  thousand  that  find  her, 
scarce  five  who  cherish  her;  it  continues  as  it  was  from  the 
beginning,  when  there  were  but  four  upon  earth  of  whom  the 
scriptures  testify  that  two  of  them  were  disobedient,  and  a  third 
one  slew  his  brother.  There  were  eight  righteous  when  the 
world  was  drowned,  one  of  them  mocked  his  father.  In  Sodom 
and  Gomorrah,  with  the  adjacent  country,  there  were  four 
righteous  persons,  one  looked  back  and  was  changed  into  a  pillar 
of  salt.  (Gen.  3,  9.)  More  than  six  hundred  thousand  valiant 
men  left  Egypt,  of  whom  but  two  entered  the  promised  land, 
(Nnm,  22,  26,  14,)  not,  dear  Lord,  that  all  were  damned  who 
died  on  the  way,  but  they  did  not  on  account  of  their  unbelief 
inherit  the  promised  Canaan.  (Heb.  8,  4.)  Thus  also,  dear 
Lord,  is  the  eternal  land  promised  us,  if  we  otherwise  walk  the 
way  which  thou  hast  chosen  for  us.  (Prov.  10.)  But  now  they 
walk  the  crooked  way  of  death,  and  even  as  those  did  not 
inherit  the  temporal,  so  will  also  these  not  inherit  the  eternal 
Canaan.  O  Lord,  well  may  I  sigh  and  say:  Where  is  he  who 
fears  the  Lord  ?  Where  is  he  who  has  understanding  ?  Where 
is  he,  who  seeks  after  God  ?  They  are  all  gone  out  of  the  way, 
they  are  together  become  unprofitable;  there  is  none  that  doeth 
good,  no,  not  one  !  Their  throats  are  as  an  open  sepulchre, 
with  their  tongues  they  have  used  deceit:  The  poison  of  asps 
is  under  their  lips,  their  feet  are  swift  to  shed  blood.  Destruc- 
tion and  misery  are  in  their  ways.  The  way  of  peace  they  have 
not  known;  thy  fear  is  not  before  their  eyes;  all  that  is  among 
them  is  infidelity  and  lies,  they  despise  thy  righteousness,  yet 
they  sing  and  speak  much  of  thy  truth,  and  glory  in  thy  great 
name,  although  there  is  not  one  ripe  grape  on  their  vine,  nor 
any  good  fruit  to  be  found  with  them.  But  those  who  fear 
thee,  O  Lord,  depart  from  all  iniquity  :  For  thy  fear  (says 
Sirach,  Chap.  2)  dispels  sin  and  is  the  beginning  of  wisdom. 
Thine  eyes  are  upon  those  who  fear  thee,  thy  Holy  Spirit  leads 
them,  thy  gracious  hand  preserves  them,  they  will  f6ar  not  nor 
tremble ;  for  thou  art  their  protector  and  shelter  against  intense 
heat,  thou  didst  pardon  their  sins  and  rescue  them;  thou  dost 
iinlighten  them,  makest  glad  their  souls,  givest  them  grace, 
blessing  and  peace.  (Ecc.  34.)  He  that  fears  thee,  walks 
upright  in  all  his  ways,  for  thou  teachest  him  in  the  vfay  that 
he  shall  choose. 


His  soul  shall  dicellat  ease;  and  Im  seed shallinherit  the  earth. 


i 


THE  TWEKTT-FIPTH  PSALit.  341 

O  Lord,  thou  Lord  of  hosts  !  those  who  kuow  thee  shall  be 
blessed  in  the  paradise  of  their  God,  upon  Mount  Zion,  in  the 
lieavenly  Jerusalem,  in  the  church  of  the  living  God — in  the 
assembly  of  the  righteous  whose  names  are  written  in  heaven. 
They  are  released  from  hell,  sin,  the  devil  and  death,  and  they 
serve  before  thee  in  peace  and  joy  of  heart  through  life.  They 
repose  without  fear,  for  thou  art  their  strength  and  shield. 
They  rest  under  the  shadow  of  thy  wings,  (Lev.  26,)  for  they 
are  thine.  They  freeze  not,  for  thou  warmest  them  with  the 
beams  of  thy  love — they  hunger  not,  for  thou  feedest  them  with 
the  bread  of  life;  (John  6;)  they  thirst  not,  for  thou  givestthem 
to  drink  of  the  waters  of  the  Holy  Ghost;  they  want  not,  for 
thou  art  their  treasure  and  their  wealth.  They  dwell  in  the 
house  of  thy  peace,  in  the  tabernacles  of  righteousness,  and  in 
sure  peace.  (Isa.  52;  Ps.  1.)  They  have  pleasure  in  thy  law, 
and  speak  of  thy  word  day  and  night,  with  all  the  people. 
They  wash  their  souls  in  the  clear  waters  of  thy  truth.  (Wis. 
7.)  They  view  their  consciences  iu  the  clear  mirror  of  thy 
wisdom — their  thoughts  are  upright,  their  words  are  words  of 
grace,  seasoned  with  salt.  (James  1;  Matt,  5.)  Their  words  are 
faithful  and  true.  The  light  of  their  piety  shines  around  them; 
what  they  seek  they  iind,  what  they  desire  they  obtain,  their 
souls  dwell  in  the  fulness  of  thy  goodness;"  the  dew  of  thy 
grace  has  sprinkled  them;  the  soil  of  their  consciences  bear 
wine  and  oil  without  measure,  and  although  they  must  endure 
in  their  flesh,  for  a  time,  much  misery  and  suftering  and  trouble, 
yet  they  know  well  that  the  way  of  the  cross  is  the  way  of  life. 
They  are  not  ashamed  of  the  way  of  the  cross  and  the  weapons 
of  the  Lord.  (Acts  14.)  They  patiently  go  with  Christ  to  the 
conflict,  and  contend  valiantly,  till  they  have  reached  the  bound- 
ary of  life,  and  have  received  the  crown.  (Heb.  12;  2  Tim.  2; 
Phil,  o.)  Nothing  can  hinder  them,  since  they  have  become 
partakers  of  thy  spirit,  and  have  tasted  of  thy  sweetness.  They 
neither  waver  nor  turn  aside;  their  house  stands  firmly  upon  a 
rock,  (Matt.  7,)  they  are  as  the  pillars  of  the  holy  temple,  they 
have  eaten  of  thy  hidden  manna.  (Rev.  3,  5.)  0  Lord,  to  thee 
be  praise  !  Thy  fear  abides  continually  before  their  eyes.  They 
walk  in  thy  way,  therefore  shall  their  souls  be  blessed,  and 
their  seed,  if  born  of  the  Holy  Spirit  and  word,  will  enjoy  the 
land  of  everlasting  life,  (Ps.  142,)  wherein  thou,  and  thy  chosen 
shall  reign  in  endless  glory. 

2  he  secret  of  the  Lord  is  with  them  that  fear  hi?n,  and  he  will 
shoio  them  his  covenant. 

Oh  Lord!  Lord,  the  thoughts  of  my  heart  temfy  me,  and  my 
heart  trembles  within  me  ;  because,  with  Ezra,  (1  Ezra  7,)  1 


342  TH£  TWENTY-FIFTH  PSALM. 

perceive  so  many  born  in  vain.  What  shall  I  say,  dear  Lord  ? 
Shall  I  say  that  thou  hast  ordained  the  wicked  to  wickedness, 
as  some  have  said?  Be  that  far  from  me;  I  know,  O  Lord,  that 
thou  art  eternally  good,  and  that  nothing  wicked  can  be  found 
in  thee.  We  are  the  works  of  thy  hand,  created  in  Christ  Jesus 
to  good  works,  that  we  should  walk  therein.  (Eph.  5.)  Water 
and  fire,  life  and  death,  hast  thou  left  to  our  choice.  (Gal.  1,  5.) 
Thou  wiliest  not  the  death  of  the  sinner,  but  that  he  would  re- 
pent and  live.  (Ezek.  18. )  Thou  art  the  eternal  light,  therefore 
hatest  thou  all  darkness;  (1  Johnl;)  thou  desirest  not  that  any 
should  perish,  but  that  all  repent,  come  to  the  knowledge  of  thy 
truth  and  be  happy.  (Pet.  3;  2  Tim.  2.)  O  dear  Lord,  how 
grievously  have  they  blasphemed  thine  unspeakably  great  good- 
ness, thy  eternal  mercy,  and  thy  almighty  Majesty,  and  they, 
O  God,  the  Creator,  of  all  things,  and  God  of  all  grace,  have 
made  thee  to  be  as  the  devil,  by  saying  that  thou  art  the  source 
of  all  evil,  but  thou  art  the  Father  of  days  and  of  lights.  It  i 
plain  that  evil  cannot  flow  from  good,  nor  light  from  darkness, 
nor  life  from  death;  yet  must  their  stubborn  hearts  and  fleshly 
minds  be  attributed  to  thy  will,  in  order  that  they  may  con- 
tinue upon  the  broad  way,  and  have  a  cover  for  their  sins. 
They  neither  know  thy  divine  goodness,  nor  their  own  inbred 
wickedness.  0  Lord,  thou  hast  loved  us  with  an  eter;ial  love, 
thou  hast  chosen  us  before  the  foundation  of  the  world,  ( Jer. 
31,)that  we  should  be  unblamable,  and  holy  before  thee  in  love, 
not  regarding  what  we  find  written  by  the  faiUiful  Paul  con- 
cerning Esau,  Pharaoh  and  Israel;  (Eph.  1;  Rom.  9;)  he  hath 
done  all  for  us,  for  the  best,  in  order  that  we  should  give  the 
honor  to  thy  name,  and  not  to  ourselves.  What  have  we  mis- 
erable sinners  of  which  we  may  boast?  (Ps.  114.)  What  have 
we  that  we  have  not  received?  All  that  we  have  is  of  thy  ful- 
ness. (1  Cor.  4;  John  1.)  For  this,  all  who  know  thy  word 
thank  thee.  O  dear  Lord,  the  mystery  of  thy  holy  word  is  not 
revealed  to  the  rich,  the  honorable,  or  the  wise,  but  to  the  poor 
simple  children.  (1  Cor.  2.)  Yea,  Father,  said  Christ,  such  was 
thy  good  pleasure.  (Matt.  11;  Luke  11.)  Isaiah  says:  (Chap. 
66. )  Thou  wilt  look  upon  the  miserable,  and  those  who  are 
of  a  broken  spirit,  and  who  fear  thy  word.  Then,  dear  Lord, 
lead  us  in  thy  Jruth;  teach  us  thy  mysteries;  enable  us  rightly 
to  know  the  power  of  thy  covenant,  that  thou  art  ours,  and  we 
are  thine — that  covenant  which  thou  hast  made  with  us  in 
Christ,  without  any  merit  on  our  part.  (Tit.  3.)  For  thy  mys- 
tei-y  will  be  found  with  those  who  fear  thee  and  those  to  whom 
thou  hast  made  known  thy  covenant. 

Mine  eyes  are  ever  toioards  the  Lord,  for  lie  sliall  pluck  my 
feet  out  of  the  net. 


THE  TWEKTY-FIFTH   FSALM.  343 

O  Lord!  tbou  who  bearest  rule!  If  thou  shouldst  mark  iui- 
(luity,  who  could  stand?  (Ps.  130.)  I,  a  miserable,  great  sinner, 
have,  with  the  full  lust  of  my  heart,  turned  to  all  folly,  to  gold 
and  silver,  to  pride  and  haughtiness,  to  strange  and  forbidden 
llesli.  I  have  turned  mine  eyes  to  open  idolatry,  to  wood  and 
stone,  and  have  served  them  many  years,  upon  high  mountains 
and  under  green  trees,  as  the  prophet  said  :  (Isa.  66.)  My 
idolatry  was  according  to  the  number  of  my  days,  I  have 
bowed  my  knee  before  the  graven  and  molten  image,  and  said: 
Save  me,  for  thou  art  my  God.  I  sought  sight  from  the  blind, 
life  from  the  dead,  and  help  from  those  who  could  not  presei-ve 
themselves  from  dust,  corruption,  thieves  and  worms,  (Bar.  6.) 
•  Yes,  I  have  said  to  a  weak,  perishable,  creature,  that  grew  out 
of  the  earth,  was  broken  in  a  mill,  baked  by  the  lire,  chewed 
with  my  teeth,  and  consumed  by  my  stomach — to  a  mouthful  of 
bread:  Thou  hast  released  me;  as  Israel  said  to  the  golden 
calf:  Rejoice,  Israel !  these  be  thy  gods,  which  have  led  thee 
forth  from  Egypt.  O  God  !  thus  have  I,  a  miserable  sinner, 
courted  the  whore  of  Babylon  for  many  years,  for  I  supposed 
that  she  was  modest,,  honest  and  chaste — a  queen  of  righteous- 
ness, who  was  glorious,  holy  and  accejjtable  before  thine  eyes, 
for  I  saw  her  adorned  with  purple  and  scarlet,  with  gold  and 
precious,  stones,  and  pearls,  a  golden  cup  in  her  hand,  powerful 
over  all  kings  upon  earth.  Therefore,  I  knew  not  that  she  was 
so  very  loathsome  and  polluted  ;  that  there  was  in  such  a 
splendid  cup  so  much  abomination,  that  she  was  such  an  un- 
blushing, impudent  whore  and  murderess,  that  deceived  the 
world,  persecuted  the  chosen,  and  drank  the  blood  of  the  saint?. 
But  now  I  have  seen  her  abominations,  and  I  quake,  because  I 
left  thee  so  long,  the  living  well,  and  comforted  myself  with 
useless  pools,  that  can  give  no  water,  ( Jer.  2, )  that  I  gave  thy 
honor  to  images  and  other  creatures,  and  worshipped  the 
creature  more  than  the  Creator,  who  is  blessed  forever.  (Rom. 
1.)  This  happened,  in  part,  through  the  deceitfulness  of  my 
eyes,  because  I  was  bewitched  in  my  heart,  by  the  goodly  ap- 
pearance of  the  woman.  But  now,  dear  Lord,  my  eyes  are 
directed  unto  thee,  till  thou  hearest  me,  they  are  directed  to  thy 
mercy  seat,  till  I  obtain  grace  and  mercy  from  thee,  (Heb.  1,) 
for  thou  alone  art  he,  who  can  help  me  in  the  time  of  my  temp- 
tation, and  pluck  my  feet  out  of  the  net  of  sin. 

Turn  thee  unto  nie,  and  have  mercy  upon  me;  for  I  am  deso- 
late and  afflicted. 

O  Lord  of  hosts,  my  sins  and  transgressions  I  do  not  hide 
from  thee,  but  unreservedly  acknowledge  that  I  spent  my  former 
days  after  the  will  of  the  heathens,  and  walked  with  them  in  all 


844  THE  TWENTY-FIFTH  PSALM. 

manner  of  ungodly  lusts,  pride,  wantonness,  in  eating  and  drink- 
ing, and  in  abominable,  blind  idolatry.  CI  Pet.  4  )  I  did  all  that 
pleased  my  wicked  flesh,  I  was  a  child  of  wrath,  (Eph.  2,)  even 
as  others;  thy  holy  name  I  held  in  derision;  thy  word  was  as  a 
fable  to  me;  in  reliance  upon  thy  grace,  I  did  all  manner  of 
evil;  I  was  as  a  white-washed  sepulchre,  outwardly  in  be- 
havior, chaste  and  mild;  there  was  none  that  reproved  my 
conduct,  but  within  I  was  full  of  dead  men's  bones,  stench  and 
worms,  (Matt.  23;)  my  platter  was  clean  on  the  outside,  but 
within  full  of  rapine  and  lust.  What  I  did  privately  is  a  scan- 
dal to  mention,  all  my  thoughts  were  unclean,  vain,  proud, 
ambitious  and  ungodly,  (Eph.  5;)  my  heart  was  full  of  disaf- 
fection, hatred,  envy,  vengeance  and  dislike;  my  thoughts 
were  bent  upon  all  manner  of  wickedness;  I  sinned  without 
bounds;  I  neither  feared  God  nor  the  devil,  neither  law  nor 
gospel,  heaven  nor  hell;  there  was  nothing  that  could  deter 
me,  I  neither  regarded  thee  nor  thy  word,  my  course  was  on- 
ward to  all  wickedness,  I  sought  nothing  but  the  friendship 
and  love  of  this  world — I  was  guilty  of  adultery  and  fornica- 
tion, and  the  like;  this  I  did  secretly,  not  on  account  of  thy 
fear,  but  for  fear  of  the  world,  lest  I  might  lose  the  favor  of 
men  and  my  good  name;  and  besides  all  my  idle  trifling,  my 
drunkenness  and  merriness,  my  pride  and  immorality,  and  my 
idolatry  were  called  the  true  worship ;  yea,  all  my  transactions, 
private  and  public,  were  not  concealed  before  thy  eyes.  Thus 
did  I,  a  grieved  sinner,  spend  my  days,  and  did  not,  O  God  of 
grace,  acknowledge  thee  as  my  God,  Creator  and  Redeemer, 
till  thy  Holy  Ghost  taught  me,  through  thy  word,  made  known 
to  me  thy  will,  and  gave  me  a  partial  knowledge  of  thy  myste- 
ries; now  I  know  how  dishonorably  I  walked  before  thee,  not 
otherwise  than  if  I  had  spit  in  thy  face,  treated  thee  with  in- 
dignity and  derided  thee  as  foolish.  O  Lord,  have  mercy  upon 
me,  for  I  am  desolate  and  afflicted;  my  sins  are  great  and 
many,  my  conscience  troubles  me,  my  thoughts  cause  me  to 
quake,  my  heart  laments  and  sighs,  because  I  sin  so  heinously 
])efore  thee;  my  sins  have  separated  me  from  thee,  hid  thy 
countenance  from  me,  and  excited  thy  wrath.  I  have  become 
a  prey  and  brand  of  the  burning,  (Isa.  59,)  though  the  longer, 
the  more  I  was  grieved,  the  more  I  was  consoled  by  thy  word, 
for  it  teaches  me  concerning  thy  mercy,  grace  and  favor,  and 
the  remission  of  my  sins,  through  Christ,  thy  beloved  Son,  our 
I^ord,  not  regarding  that,  I  neither  knew  nor  feared  thee.  This 
promise  pacilies  me;  this  promise  gladdens  me,  it  leads  me 
with  tlie  sinful  woman  to  thy  blessed  feet,  (Luke  7,  10,)  with 
full  conlidence  and  clear  conscience,  well  knowing  that  thou  wilt 
not  cast  off  from  thee  thy  returning  son,  although  I  spent  thy 
paternal  inheritance  and  possessions? dishonorably,  with  harlots 


tHS  TWEKTT-rrFTH  PKALJ*.  845 

and  rogues,  in  a  strange  country  devoured  it  in  my  unrighteous- 
ness. My  God,  turn  the  pleasing  countenance  of  thy  peace 
unto  me,  I  have  sinned  before  heaven  and  in  thy  sight,  (Luke 
15,)  lay  thy  hand  of  grace  upon  me,  have  mercy  upon  me,  for 
I  am  desolate  and  afflicted. 

The  troubles  of  my  heart  are  enlarged;  0  bring  thou  me  out 
of  my  distress. 

O  Lord!  Lord,  my  heart  weeps  and  sighs,  my  conscience 
quakes  and  trembles,  my  soul  is  as  a  grieved  mother  deprived 
of  her  only  child  and  cannot  be  comforted,  since  I,  an  ungodly 
sinner  sought  not  thy  divine  love  and  paternal  good  for  many 
years.  I  have  lived  more  disgracefully  than  an  irrational 
creature,  which  in  eating,  drinking  and  other  things,  goes  not 
beyond  nature,  not  transgressing  the  law  which  is  prescribed 
to  it.  But  I  lived  in  all  unrighteousness  against  the  inbred 
law  of  nature  according  to  the  lusts  of  my  flesh.  I  did  in  part 
know  that  the  desires  of  my  flesh  worked  death.  (Rom,  8. )  Thy 
spirit  warned  me  often  of  all  wickedness,  nevertheless  all  was 
suppressed,  through  my  flesh.  I  was  in  all  things  a  servant  of 
sin,  and  had  sworn  unto  unrighteousness.  I  drank  down  sin 
as  water;  my  delight  was  in  all  manner  of  folly  and  vileness; 
(John  8;  Rom.  6;  2  Pet.  2;  Prov.  1;)  the  outstretched  arm  of 
thy  grace,  I  saw  not;  thy  calling  voice  I  heard  not;  thy 
inviting  love  I  regarded  not.  In  short,  I  hated  thy  knowledge, 
and  thy  fear  I  cast  behind  me;  and  this  is  not  all,  dear  Lord, 
that  I  acted  so  wickedly  and  lamentably  in  my  ignorance,  but 
I  daily  find  that  my  righteousness  is  as  filthy  rags;  (Isa.  64;) 
when  I  think  that  I  am  going,  I  feel  that  I  stand,  I  am  down, 
and  that  I  am  something,  I  am  nothing.  Therefore,  O  Lord, 
preserve  me,  for  the  fear  of  my  heart  is  very  great;  yea,  greater 
than  I  can  express  it;  I  often  am  as  a  woman  in  travail,  my 
countenance  is  changed  pale;  ( Jer.  30;;  my  hands  are  upon  my 
loins  on  account  of  the  trouble  of  my  heart;  the  dangers  of  hell 
surround  me,  the  fatness  and  marrow  of  my  bones  are  dried 
up;  for  here  neither  money  nor  possessions,  neither  flesh  nor 
blood  avail,  but  my  soul  is  at  stake,  eternal  life  or  eternal  death 
is  the  issue;  I,  therefore,  pray:  Forsake  me  not,  dear  Lord,  but 
open  the  eyes  of  thy  mercy  and  behold  my  great  burden,  stand 
by  me  and  deliver  me  from  all  my  distresss. 

Look  upon  mine  affliction  and  my  pain;  and  forgive  all  my 
sins. 

O  Lord,  thou  that  bearest  rule,  if  the  righteous  call  upon  thee, 
thou  receivest  them;  (Ps.  34;)  thou  art  nigh  to  those  who  are  of 

*15 


.340  THE   TWEJS'TY-FIFXfl   FBALM. 

a  broken  heart;  thou  dost  comfort  those  who  are  of  a  contrite 
spirit;  the  offering  acceptable  to  thee  is  a  contrite  spirit;  a 
broken  heart  thou  dost  not  despise.  (Ps.  51.)  Thou  didst  send 
forth  thy  beloved  Son,  anointed  with  the  Holy  Ghost  to  preach 
the  gospel  to  the  poor,  to  heal  the  broken  hearted,  to  preach 
deliverance  to  the  captives,  and  recovery  of  sight  to  the  blind; 
to  set  at  liberty  them  that  are  bruised,  to  proclaim  the  accept- 
able year  of  the  Lord,  (Luke  4,)  to  comfort  all  that  mourn;  to 
appoint  unto  them  that  mourn  in  Zion,  to  give  unto  them  beauty 
for  ashes;  the  oil  of  joy  for  mourning;  the  garment  of  praise 
for  the  spirit  of  heaviness.  He  preached  ransom  to  all  who  are 
heavy  laden,  and  with  faithful  hearts  come  to  him;  he  invites 
all  to  the  waters  of  life,  (John  7;  2  Pet.  2,)  he  bore  all  our  sins 
upon  the  cross,  in  his  own  body,  and  our  debt  he  blotted  out  by 
his  blood,  even  as  Moses  did  afore  through  types  and  shadows, 
when  he  sprinkled  unclean  Israel  with  the  blood  of  oxen  and 
rams,  and  with  the  ashes  of  the  heifer;  under  the  law  nearly  all 
things  were  purified  by  the  shedding  of  blood.  (Exod.  14;  Num. 
19;  Heb.  9.)  Had  the  figurative  blood  such  virtue  that  it  could 
purify  the  flesh  to  sanctification,  how  much  more  shall  the  blood 
of  the  beloved  Son,  Avho  offered  himself  unspotted  through  the 
eternal  spirit,  purify  our  consciences  from  dead  works,  (Eph.  2.) 
O,  ever  living  God,  throJigh  the  merits  of  thy  Son,  and  through 
the  riches  of  thy  grace,  we  receive  the  remission  of  our  sins; 
yea,  through  his  blood  thou  didst  reconcile  all  upon  earth  and 
in  heaven  above.  (Col.  2.)  I,  therefore,  dear  Lord,  confess 
that  I  have  or  know  of  no  remedy  for  my  sins,  neither  works 
nor  merits,  neither  baptism  nor  the  Lord's  supper,  (although  all 
sincere  Christians  use  both  as  signs  of  thy  word,  and  hold  them 
in  respect;)  but  alone  the  precious  blood  of  thy  beloved  Son, 
who  is  bestowed  upon  me,  and  who  has  redeemed  me,  a  poor 
sinner,  through  mere  grace  and  love,  from  my  former  walk; 
therefore,  O  God  of  truth,  with  whom  there  is  no  lie,  remember 
the  words  of  the  prophet,  which  he  spoke  in  thy  name,  namely: 
But  if  the  wicked  will  turn  from  his  sins  that  he  hath  committed, 
and  keepeth  all  my  statutes,  and  do.  that  which  is  lawful  and 
right,  he  shall  surely  live,  he  shall  not  die;  all  his  transgressions 
that  he  hath  committed,  they  shall  not  be  mentioned  unto  him. 
(Ezek.  18.  j  O  my  God,  look  not  upon  me,  butujion  the  eternal 
Melchisideck,  Christ  Jesus,  whom  thou  hast  appc^nted  high 
priest  over  thy  house,  upon  the  blessed  king  of  thy  righteous- 
ness, who  has  no  beginning  nor  end  of  days,  and  is  a  high  priest 
for  ever,  who  did  not  honor  himself,  but  is  ordained  of  thee,  as 
Aaron,  who  in  the  days  of  his  flesh,  offered  up  prayer  and  sup- 
plications, with  strong  crying  and  tears,  unto  him  that  was  able 
to  save  him  from  death,  and  was  heard  in  that  he  feared;  for  his 
sake  hear  me^  fpr  his  sake  accept  me,  for  his  sake  be  merciful 


to  me,  console  thy  afflicted  servant.  I  have  no  comfort  neither 
in  heaven  above  nor  upon  earth,  but  in  thee  alone;  have  mercy 
upon  me  in  my  great  distress;  my  unclean,  sinful  flesh  afflicts 
me;  my  wicked  nature  wages  war  against  mc,  and  besides,  for 
thy  word's  sake,  I  have  become  an  abomination,  an  outcast  and 
a  fable  to  all  men.  (1  Cor,  4.)  All  who  hear  of  me  shake  their 
heads  at  me;  without  and  within  I  have  no  peace.  I  say  again, 
my  sins  combat  mc,  my  soul  is  in  tribulation  and  pain;  there- 
fore, dear  Lord,  I  pray  thee  not  for  gold  and  silver,  for  it  can 
profit  me  nothing  in  the  day  of  vengeance,  (Ezek.  7,)  neither 
for  long  life,  for  it  is  always  jjcrverse,  but  this  I  desire  alone  of 
thee,  from  my  whole  heart,  that  thou  wouldst  look  upon  me,  a 
miserable  sinner,  with  the  eyes  of  thy  mercy,  in  my  affliction 
and  pain,  comfort  me  with  thy  holy  spirit,  and  forgive  all  my 
sins. 

Consider  mine  enemies,  for  they  are  many  and  they  hate  me 
WITH  CRUEL  hatred. 

O  Lord  of  hosts,  when  I  was  of  the  v/orld,  I  spake  and  did  as 
the  world,  and  the  world  hated  me  not,  but  as  soon  as  I  had 
eaten  the  book  that  was  shown  me,  although  it  was  in  my  mouth 
sweet  as  honey,  yet  it  made  my  belly  bitter,  for  there  were 
written  therein  lamentations,  and  mourning,  and  wo,  (Ezek  2; 
Col.  3  ;  Rev.  10 :  10. )  While  I  served  the  world  I  received 
my  reward  ;  all  men  spake  vrell  of  me,  even  as  the  Fathers  did 
to  the  false  prophets.  (Matt.  5;  Luke  6.)  But  now,  that  I  love 
the  world  with  a  godly  love,  have  sought  from  my  heart  their 
welfare  and  happiness,  rebuked,  admonished,  and  instructed 
them  with  the  word  of  God,  pointing  out  to'them  Jesus  Christ 
and  him  cruciiied,  they  have  become  unto  me  as  a  grievous  cross, 
and  as  the  gall  of  bitterness;  so  tiendlike  is  their  h.atred,  that 
not  only  I  myself,  but  all  tliose  who  loved  me,  showing  me  favor 
and  mercy,  must,  in  some  place  or  other  look  for  imprisonment 
and  death.  O  blessed  Lord!  I  am  more  despicable  in  their 
eyes  than  a  notorious  thief  and  murderei';  1  am  like  a  lost  sheep 
in  the  wilderness  of  the  world,  cliased,  tormented,  and  pursued 
unto  death  by  ravenous  wolves.  Am  I  not  like  a  person  with- 
out hope,  forsaken  and  comfortless  like  a  ship  in  the  depth  of 
the  ocean,  destitute  of  mast,  sail  and  helm,  tossed  about  by 
every  wave  and  every  tempest.  My  llcsh  had  almost,  said,  I  am 
betrayed  because  I  find  the  unrighteous,  forward  nation  enjoy- 
ing riches,  honor  and  prosperity,  and  reposing  in  (quietness  and 
peace,  (Ps.  73,)  while  the  godly  must  endure  so  much  hunger, 
thirst,  affliction,  and  violence;  their  habitation  is  insecure,  they 
must  toil  and  labor  for  their  bread;  they  are  defamed,  reviled, 
persecuted  and  hated  of  all  men,  as  the  filth  of  the  world,  and 


84$  THE  TWBKTT-FrrTE  'BUXlM- 

as  an  abomination.  (1  Cor.  4.)  O  blessed  Lord!  mine  enemies 
are  many  and  great,  their  heart  roars  like  the  furious  lion,  their 
words  are  as  deadly  arrows,  their  tongues  are  always  against 
me ;  at  one  time  I  am  i  eviled  by  them  as  a  false  seducer,  at 
another  reproached  as  an  accursed  heretic,  though  by  thy  grace 
I  possess  nought  but  unyielding  truth.  (Gal,  4.)  Thus  ami 
their  mortal  enemy,  because  I  instruct  them  in  the  way  of 
righteousness.  O  Lord!  I  am  not  ashamed  of  my  doctrine  be- 
fore thee  and  thy  angels,  much  less  before  this  rebellious  world; 
for  I  know  assuredly  that  I  teach  thy  word;  I  have  taught 
throughout  a  true  repentance,  a  dying  unto  our  sinful  flesh,  and 
the  new  life  thatcometh  from  God.  I  have  taught  a  true  sin- 
cere faith  in  thee  and  in  thy  beloved  Son.  that  it  might  be  made 
powerful  through  love.  (1  Cor.  2.)  I  have  taught  Jesus  Christ 
and  him  crucified,  very  God  and  very  man,  who,  in  an  incom- 
prehensible, inexpressible  and  indescribable  manner,  was  born  of 
thee  from  all  eternity,  thy  eternal  Truth  and  Wisdom,the  bright- 
ness of  thy  glory,  and  the  express  image  of  thy  person,  and  that 
in  fulness  of  time,  through  the  power  of  thy  Holy  Spirit;  he 
became  in  the  womb  of  the  virgin  Mary,  real  flesh  and  blood,  a 
visible,  tangible,  and  mortal  man,  (John  1;  Col.  2;  Heb.  1; 
Matt.  1;  Luke  1;  John  1,)  like  unto  Adam  and  his  posterity  in 
all  things,  sin  excepted;  born  of  the  seed  or  lineage  of  Abra- 
ham and  David,  dead  and  buried,  arose  agfiin,  ascended  into 
heaven,  and  thus  became  before  thee  our  only,  and  eternal  ad- 
vocate, mediator,  intercessor,  and  redeemer,  (Rom.  1,  10;  Col. 
3;  1  Tim.  2;  1  John  2.)  If  all  the  prophets,  apostles,  and 
evangelists  have  not  taught  with  the  greatest  clearness  from 
the  beginning,  I  will  gladly  bear  my  shame  and  reproof.  I  have 
taught  no  other  baptism,  no  other  supper,  no  other  ordinance 
than  that  sanctioned  by  the  unerring  Avord  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  and  the  declared  example  and  usages  of  his  holy  apos- 
tles, to  say  nothing  of  the  superabundant  evidence  of  the  his- 
torians and  learned  of  both  the  primitive  and  the  present  church. 
Since  then,  I  substantiate  my  doctrine  by  the  evidence  of  thy 
plain,  ineffable  word,  and  by  the  ordinance  of  thy  Son,  who  can 
reprove  me,  and  show  with  the  argument  of  truth  that  I  am  an 
imposter?  Does  not  tthe  whole  scripture  teach  that  Christ  is 
the  truth,  and  shall  abide  forever?  (John  14. )  Is  not  the  apos- 
tolic church  the  true  church  ?  We  know  that  all  human  doc- 
trines are  chaff  and  froth,  (Isa.  1;  Jer.  23,)  and  that  Antichrist 
has  spoiled  and  corrupted  the  doctrine  of  Christ;  why  then  do 
they  hate  me  because  out  of  pure  zeal  I  teach  and  propound 
the  doctrine  of  Christ  and  his  apostles  unadulterated?  No  one, 
however,  hates  the  opposers  of  Antichrist  but  such  as  are  his 
members.  Had  I  not  the  word  of  Christ,  how  cheerfully  would 
I  be  taught  it,  for  I  seek  it  with  fear  and  trembling;  in  this  I 


XH«  TWBKTt-FITTH  P8ALM.  84^ 

cannot  be  deceived.  I  have  by  grace,  through  the  influence  of 
thy  Holy  Spirit,  believed  and  accepted  thy  holy  truth  as  the 
sure  word  of  thy  pleasure;  it  will  also  never  deceive  me.  Let 
them  write  and  vociferate,  threaten,  and  dispute,  boast,  vapor 
and  insult,  extirpate,  persecute  and  destroy,  as  they  please,  still 
thy  word  -will  triumph  and  the  Lamb  will  gain  the  victory. 
(Rev.  17.)  Yea,  I  rest  assured,  that  with  this  my  doctrine,  I 
shall,  at  the  coming  of  Christ,  judge  and  condemn,  not  only 
men  but  also  angels.  (2  Cor,  6.)  And  though  I  and  my  beloved 
brethren  were  totally  extirpated,  and  taken  from  the  earth, 
yet  thy  word  would  remain  eternal  truth.  (Isa.  40;  2  Peter  1.) 
We  are  no  better  than  our  co-workers  who  preceded  us.  Yet 
the  time  will  arive  when  they  shall  exalt  thy  power,  and  look, 
perhaps  too  late,  upon  him  whom  they  have  pierced.  (Rev  20; 
Acts  20.)  O  Lord  !  with  what  cruel  hatred  they  hate  me  ! 
whom  have  I  slandered  in  a  single  expression?  whose  gold, 
silver,  cattle,  have  I  courted  ?  I  have  loved  them  with  a  pure 
love,  even  unto  death:  thy  word  and  will  have  I  taught  them, 
and  with  earnest  diligence  have  I  shown  them,  by  thy  grace, 
the  way  that  leadeth  to  felicity,  therefore  my  enemies  are  many, 
and  hate  me  with  cruel  hatred. 

0  keep  my  soul  and  deliver  me;  let  me  not  he  ashamed,  for  I 
pu    my  trust  in  thee. 

O  Lord,  Lord  !  the  w^ord  of  Paul  fills  me  with  terror,  \vhere 
he  says:  Let  him  that  standeth  take  heed  lest  he  fall;  for  if  a 
man  thinks  himself  to  be  something  when  he  is  nothing,  he  de- 
ceiveth  himself,  (1  Cor.  10;  Gal  6,)  for  the  flesh,  destitute  of 
thy  Spirit,  is  perfectly  blind  in  divine  things,  ignorant,  entirely 
false  and  unjust,  nay,  sin  and  death,  as  I  have  remarked  pub- 
licly in  speaking  of  David  and  Peter,  for  though  David  was  a 
great  prophet,  a  man  after  thy  own  heart,  faithful  in  all  thy  ways, 
yet  when  thy  Spirit  departed  from  him,  where  were  his  chastity, 
love,  humility,  and  the  fear  of  his  God?  did  he  not  become  an 
open  adulterer,  murderer  and  boaster  of  his  own  glory?  (2  Sam. 
11,  24,)  until  thy  Spirit  again  enlightened  him  by  the  word  of 
the  prophet,  and  he  acknowledged  the  deadly  sin  he  had  com- 
mitted and  how  foolishly  he  had  acted  before  thee,  (2  Sam.  12. ) 
In  like  manner  as  regards  Peter.  He  acknowledged  Christ  thy 
beloved  Son,  not  by  flesh  and  blood,  but  by  the  Spirit  of  thy 
grace,  was  called  by  Christ  a  stone  and  a  rock,  (Matt.  16,)  was 
ready  to  go  with  Christ  into  prison  and  to  death;  the  trial  came, 
thy  Spirit  forsook  him  for  a  season,  he  could  not  bear  a  trifling- 
expression  of  a  maid,  he  denied  Christ,  and  swore  that  he  knew 
him  not,  (Matt  26;  Luke  22,)  but  as  soon  as  Christ  looked  upon 
him,  and  thy  spirit  returned,  he  acknowledged  his  fall,  wept  bit- 


S6p  THE  TWE^T¥-F1^TH  PB4i«M. 

terly,  and  afterwards  publicly  preached  the  name  of  Christ 
among  all  nations,  (Acts  2.)  Paying  no  regard  to  his  having 
been  strictly  forbidden  to  do  so,  by  imprisonment,  stripes  and 
menacing  words,  he  frankly  answered:  We  ought  to  obey  God 
rather  than  men.  I  beseech  thee,  therefore,  blessed  Lord,  that 
thou  wilt  keep  my  soul,  which  is  bought  with  so  dear  a  price, 
lest  I  turn  from  thy  truth;  for  though  I  may  now  think  with 
Peter,  that  I  could  give  my  life  for  thee;  and  with  Paul,  that 
neither  tribulation,  nor  distress,  nor  persecution,  nor  famine, 
nor  nakedness,  nor  peril,  nor  sword,  norhfe,  nor  death,  nor  any 
other  creature,  shall  be  able  to  separate  me  from  thy  love,  yet 
I  do  not  sufficiently  know  myself.  (Rom.  8. )  All  my  tiust  is 
in  thee;  I  have  not  yet  resisted  unto  blood,  (Heb.  12,)  though 
I  have  drank  a  little  of  the  cup  of  thy  affliction,  yet  I  have  not 
tasted  the  dregs;  for  when  prisons  and  bonds  are  suffered,  when 
life  and  death,  fire  and  sword  are  threatened,  then  will  the  gold 
be  separated  from  the  wood,  silver  from  the  straw,  and  pearls 
from  the  stubble.  Forsake  me  not,  therefore,  gracious  Lord, 
for  trees  of  deepest  root  are  torn  up  from  the  earth  by  the  vio- 
lence of  the  storm,  and  the  lofty  immovable  mountains  are 
rent  asunder  by  the  force  of  the  earthquake.  Had  not  Job  and 
Jeremiah,  men  of  thy  love,  well  nigh  lost  all  patience  in  tempta- 
tion, and  murmured  against  thy  will?  Suffer  me  not,  therefore, 
gracious  Lord,  to  be  tempted  above  what  I  am  able  to  bear,  for 
thou  art  true  and  faithful,  lest  my  soul  be  ashamed.  (Job.  1; 
Jer.  20;  1  Cor.  10.)  I  pray  not  for  my  flesh,  (Gen.  3;  Heb.  9,) 
being  well  aware  that  I  must  once  suffer  and  die;  but  this  alone 
I  desire,  that  thou  strengthen  me  in  my  warfare,  assist  and 
preserve  me,  make  me  a  way  to  escape  in  temptation,  deliver 
me,  and  let  me  not  be  ashamed ;  for  I  put  my  trust  in  thee. 

Let  integrity  and  uprightness  preserve  me;  for  1  wait  on  t?iee. 

O  LoKD  of  hosts !  O  God,  when  the  householder  had  sown 
good  seed  in  his  field,  his  enemy  came  while  he  slept  and  sowed 
tares  among  the  wheat,  (3Iatt.  13;)  for  when  the  sons  of  God 
presented  themselves  before  the  Lord,  satan  came  also  among 
them,  (Job  1;)  -wherever  Christ  is,  there  will  the  devil  be  found 
near  at  hand,  as  alas,  I  have  fully  observed  in  a  few  short  years: 
thy  saving  word,  thy  gracious  gospel,  which  is  the  proper  food 
of  my  soul,  imparting  to  it  the  power  of  eternal  life,  which  has 
been  trampled  upon  for  so  many  years  by  Antichrist  as  an  idle 
tale,  and  a  useless  fabrication,  is  again  received,  believed,  and 
acknowledged,  in  power,  by  some  through  the  influence  of  thy 
comi)assionate  favor;  the  hellish  lion  or  behemoth  roars  now  in 
excessive  rage,  w^alks  about  seeking  to  devour  them,  has  no 
rest,  nor  repose,  knowing  well  that  his  kingdom  and  dominion 


THE   TWEKTY-FIFTB  PSALM.  851 

must  decline  and  be  destroyed  thereby,  makes  use  of  all  his 
cunning  and  subtlety,  transforms  himself  into  an  angel  of  light, 
(1  Pet.  5;  2  Cor.  11;)  those  he  lost  through  thy  word  he  has 
allured  again  by  false  doctrine  into  his  snare  and  net,  and  has 
changed  the  pure,  salutary  sense  of  the  scriptures,  by  means  of 
false  prophets  and  unskilful  teachers,  into  a  meaning  entirely 
sensual,  and  completely  calculated  to  mislead;  has  authorized 
the  sword  and  destructive  weapons,  and  excited  a  vindictive 
spirit  against  the  whole  world ;  moreover  he  has  instituted  open 
adultery  with  the  custom  of  the  Jewish  fathers,  also  established 
a  literal  king  and  kingdom,  together  with  many  other  abuses, 
at  which  a  sincere  Christian  is  astonished  and  confounded.  But 
all  which  thou  hast  not  planted  shall  come  to  nought.  (Matt. 
15.)  6  Lord  !  preserve  me  pure  and  upright  in  thy  truth,  that 
I  may  neither  believe,  nor  teach  anything  that  is  not  in  confor- 
mity with  thy  holy  will  and  word,  with  true  faith,  sincere  love, 
real  baptism  and  supper,  a  blameless  life,  a  scriptural  separa- 
tion from  such  as  cause  offence  in  doctrine  and  in  life.  Pre- 
serve me,  gracious  Lord,  from  all  error  and  heresy,  preserve  me 
as  thou  hast  done  heretofore  in  thy  mercy;  grant  that  I  and  my 
beloved  brethren  may  seek,  love,  and  fear  thee  with  all  our 
hearts,  render  obedience  to  the  magistrate  in  all  things  not 
contrary  to  the  word  of  God;  for  this,  says  Paul,  is  good  and 
acceptabte  in  thy  sight;  preserve  us  from  the  wiles  of  the  devil 
who  would  fain  teach  us  another  king,  after  the  spirit,  beside 
the  true  king  of  Zion,  Jesus  Christ,  who  rules  over  thy  holy 
mountain  with  the  iron  sceptre  of  thy  word,  is  King  of  kings 
and  Lord  of  lords,  is  set  at  thy  own  light  hand  in  the  heavenly 
places,  far  above  aD  principality  and  power,  and  might,  and 
dominion,  and  every  name  that  is  named,  not  only  in  this  world, 
but  also  in  that  which  is  to  come;  under  whose  feet  all  things 
are  put,  who  hath  all  power  in  heaven  and  on  earth,  before 
whom  every  knee  must  bow,  and  every  tongue  confess,  that  he 
is  Lord  to  the  glory  of  thy  great  name.  (Eph.  1;  Matt.  28; 
Phil.  2.)  O  gracious  Lord,  let  integrity  and  uprightness  pre- 
serve me  under  my  cross,  that  I  may  not  deny  thee  and 
thy  holy  word,  in  the  time  of  temptation,  nor  conceal  thy 
divine  truth  and  will  under  the  mask  of  hypocrisy,  lies,  and 
obscure  equivocal  expressions,  so  that  at  the  appearance  of  thy 
dear  Son,  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  I  may  receive  with  all  saints, 
the  promised  kingdom,  inheritance,  and  reward  which,  with 
firm  assurance  and  perfect  confidence,  we  daily  hope,  and  ex- 
pect, as  the  consequence  of  thy  gracious  promise. 

Redeem  Israel,  0  God,  oat  of  all  his  trouhhs. 

0  Lord  of  hosts,  now,  that  I  have  confessed  my  sins  before 


85S  THi  l-WtiSrt'TtTfM  i»*alm. 

thee,  prayed  for  my  transgressions,  praised  thy  mercy,  and 
desired  thy  grace,  (Matt.  10;  Mark  6,)  I  must,  with  David, 
beseech  thee,  in  behalf  of  my  brethren;  for  I  observe  Israel 
scattered  abroad  and  going  astray,  like  sheep  without  a  shep- 
herd, and  the  pleasant  vineyard  of  the  Lord  is  laid  waste,  and 
trodden  down  of  all  men,  (Isa.  5;  Jer.  12;)  the  chosen  seed  of 
Abraham,  the  house  of  Jacob,  has  again  become  a  proper  slave 
or  bond  servant  in  the  grievous  service  of  Pharaoh  in  Egypt, 
the  royal  line  of  Judah  is  carried  away  into  Babylon,  together 
with  the  holy  vessels,  which  are  so  lamentably  abused  by  Bel- 
shazzar,  his  lords  and  concubines.  Jerusalem,  the  personifica- 
tion of  peace,  which  was  likened  to  a  dove,  is  changed  into  a 
barbarous  gormandizer  of  innocent  blood,  and  a  rapacious 
lioness;  she  that  was  princess  among  the  nations,  the  city  of 
the  great  king  is  become  destitute  of  kings,  citizens  and  walls, 
waste  and  solitary;  the  temple  of  the  Lord,  the  house  of  prayer, 
in  which  the  true  worship  ought  to  be  performed,  has  become  a 
notorious  nest  of  robbers,  a  den  of  lions,  bears,  wolves,  basilisks, 
dragons  and  serpents,  a  house  of  all  idolators;  nay,  the  un- 
chaste bed  of  the  adulteress  Jezebel.  The  bride  of  Christ,  the 
glorious,  who  was  clothed  in  variegated  raiment,  and  decked 
with  divine  ornaments,  in  honor  of  the  king,  is  changed  com- 
pletely into  a  disgraceful  harlot.  (Mic.  2;  Isa.  56;  Jer.  7; 
Matt.  9;  Rev.  6;  Ps.  45;  Ezek.  16.)  The  ark  of  the  Lord, 
the  glory  of  Israel,  is  seized  by  the  Philistines,  and  taken  into 
the  temple  of  Dagon,  (1  Kings  5.)  Why  make  a  long  lamen- 
tation? Judea  is  changed  to  Babylon,  Canaan  to  Egypt,  and 
Palestine  to  Sodom,  and  the  king  of  glory,  Christ  Jesus,  blessed 
forever,  is  daily  esteemed  as  a  simpleton,  and  despised  as  a  fool; 
his  holy  apostles,  the  beloved  witnesses  of  thy  truth,  must  as 
liars  give  way  with  their  doctrine  unto  all  men,  his  knit  or 
wrought  garment,  which  the  scriptures  were  unwilling  should 
be  rent  or  divided,  is  torn  into  four  or  five  pieces;  Antichrist 
exercises  authority  and  dominion  in  all  countries  by  the  preach- 
ing of  lies  ;  and  with  violence  is  thy  word  proscribed  and 
rejected;  if  I  travel  east,  west,  north  or  south,  I  find  in  all 
places,  nothing  but  vain  obstinacy,  perversion,  blindness, 
avarice,  pride,  wantonness,  rioting,  drunkenness,  pomp  and 
splend  or,  strife,  envying  and  ungodliness.  I  find,  I  repeat, 
violence,  false  doctrine  and  an  impure,  deceptive  employment 
of  thy  sacraments;  throughout  the  world  I  find  tyrants  triumph- 
ing in  might,  power,  influence  and  wantonness,  in  the  courts  of 
all  princes;  I  find  that  the  learned  speak  like  the  beast,  covetous 
of  honor,  desirous  of  wealth,  gluttonous,  earthly  and  carnally 
minded,  and  teach  according  to  the  lusts  and  desires  of  men  ; 
there  is  scarcely  any  that  inquires  for  the  truth,  or  if  there  is 
any  one  who  asks  for,  or  finds  it,  he  must  bear  thy  cross;  there- 


THE  TWENTY-FIFTH  P6ALM.  353 

fore  are  my  cheeks  wet  with  tears  day  and  night,  my  soul  find- 
eth  no  comfort,  neither  bread  nor  drink  is  sweet  to  my  taste. 
Like  the  prophet  Micah,  I  may  well  go  stripped  and  naked, 
make  a  wailing  like  the  dragons,  and  a  mourning  as  the  owls- 
for  the  wound  of  Israel  is  incurable.  In  sorrow,  I  may  well 
lament  with  Esdras,  and  say  :  Our  sanctuary  is  laid  waste,  our 
altar  broken  down,  our  temple  destroyed;  our  psaltery  is  laid 
on  the  ground,  our  song  is  put  to  silence,  our  rejoicing  is  at  an 
end,  the  light  of  our  candlestick  is  put  out,  the  ark  of  the  cov- 
enant is  spoiled,  our  holy  things  are  defiled,  and  the  name  that 
is  called  upon  us  is  almost  profaned  :  our  children  are  put  to 
shame,  our  priests  are  burnt,  our  people  are  gone  into  captivity, 
our  virgins  are  defiled,  and  our  wives  ravished ;  our  righteous 
men  carried  away,  our  little  ones  destroyed,  our  young  men  are 
brought  in  bondage,  and  our  strong  men  are  become  weak;  and 
which  is  the  greatest  of  all,  the  seat  of  Sion  hath  now  lost  her 
honor;  for  she  is  delivered  into  the  hands  of  them  that  hate  us. 
(2  Esd.  10.)  Redeem  Israel,  O  God,  out  of  his  troubles!  look 
with  the  eye  of  thy  mercy,  upon  our  great  misery  and  distress, 
release  us  from  the  iron  furnace  of  Egypt,  bring  us  out  of  the 
land  of  the  Chaldees,  let  the  holy  city  be  builded  again  upon 
her  own  heap,  (Jer.  30, )  having  walls  and  gates,  repair  and  re- 
build thy  fallen  temple,  the  stones  of  which  are  trampled  upon 
in  every  street.  (Sam  4.)  Gather  together  thy  wandering  sheep, 
receive  thy  returning  bride,  who  has  behaved  so  perversely 
with  strange  lovers.  0  God  of  Israel,  efiect  in  us  a  pure  heart, 
that  longeth  for  thy  blessed  word  and  will.  Send  forth  faithful 
laborers  into  thy  harvest,  (Ps.  3;  John  4.)  who  cut  and  gather 
the  grain  in  due  season,  perfect  the  buiiders  who  lay  for  us  a 
good  foundation,  that  in  the  last  days  thy  house  may  be  estab- 
lished, and  appear  above  all  the  hills,  that  many  people  may  go 
thither  and  say:  Come  ye,  and  let  us  go  up  to  the  mountain  of 
the  Lord,  to  the  house  of  the  God  of  Jacob;  and  he  will  teach 
us  of  his  ways,  and  we  will  walk  in  his  paths,  (Isa.  2;  Mic.  4;) 
that  we  may  walk  before  thee,  in  peace  and  liberty  of  con- 
science, all  the  days  of  our  life,  under  a  good  government  and 
blameless  teachers, with  a  Christian  baptism,  true  supper,  god- 
ly life,  and  a  just  separation,  that  thou  mayest  in  power  be 
eternally  honored  and  praised  in  us,  as  in  thy  beloved  children, 
through  thy  dear  Son,  Jesus  Christ,  our  Lord,  to  whom  with 
thee,  O  Father,  and  thy  Holy  Spirit,  be  praise  and  everlasting 
dominion.  Amen  !  Amen  !  Amen  !  Even  so,  come  quickly, 
Lord  Jesus. 


35 i  THE  SPIRITUAL    BE6URKECTI0K. 


A  PLAIN  IlSrSTIiUCTIOIS^ 

FEOM  THE  AVOKD  OF  GOD,  COI<rCEHIsIN(j 
THE  SPIRITUAL  RESTKRECTION,  AND 
NEW  O  A  HEAVENLY  BIETH. 

Blessed  and  holy  is  he  that  hath  part  in  the  first  resurrection: 
on  such  the  second  death  has  no  jjoicer.    Rev.  xx:  G. 

i'l>r  other  foundation  can  no  man  lay  than  thai  is  lakh  which 
is  Christ  Jesus.     1  Cor.  iii:  11. 

Awake  thou  that  sleepest  and  arise  from  the  dead,  and  Christ 
shall  give  thee  light.   (Eph.  5,  14.) 

The  scriptures  point  out  to  us  two  resurrections;  namely,  a 
bodily  resurrection  from  the  dead  at  the  last  day,  and  a  spirit- 
ual resurrection  from  sin  and  death,  to  a  new  life  and  a  change 
of  heart. 

That  a  man  should  die  spiritually  unto  sin,  be  spiritually 
buried  and  rise  again  to  a  life  of  righteousness  in  God,  is  plain- 
ly taught  in  various  parts  of  the  scriptures. 

I'aul  also  exhorted  to  the  same  effect:  (Eph.  4,  22;  Rom.  6:) 
Put  off,  concerning  the  former  conversation,  the  old  man,  which 
is  corrupt  according  to  the  deceitful  lusts;  and  be  renewed  in 
the  spirit  of  your  mind,  and  that  ye  put  on  the  new  man,  which, 
after  God,  is  created  in  righteousness  and  true  holiness.  (Col. 
U,  9.)  Put  otf  the  old  man  with  his  deeds,  and  put  on  the  new 
man  which  is  renewed  in  knowledge,  after  the  image  of  him 
that  created  him.  (Col.  3.)  Mortify  your  earthly,  &c.,  &c. 
Before  a  resurrection  from  the  dead  can  take  place,  the  death 
of  the  body  is  necessary,  and  before  death,  sickness,  pain  and 
tribulation  must  precede,  which  have  a  tendency  to  make 
death  still  more  bitter  to  the  liesh :  Likewise  in  a  spiritual 
sense,  there  can  be  no  resurrection  from  shi  and  death,  unless 
this  body  of  sin  be  first  destroyed  and  buried,  and  has  sensibly 
endured  pain  and  the  burden  of  sin.  That  is  sorrowfulness  of 
heart,  remorse  and  a  sincere  repentance  on  account  of  sin,  as 
is  evidently  shown  in  the  scriptures.  David  says,  (Ps.  88:)  O 
Lord;  rebuke  me  not  in  thy  wrath;  neither  chastjn  me  in  thy 
hot  displeasure.  For  thine  arrows  stick  fast  in  me,  and  thy  hand 
presseth  me  sore.  There  is  no  soundness  in  my  flesh,  because 
of  thine  anger  ;  neither  is  there  any  rest  in  my  bones,  because 
of  my  sin.     For  mine  iniquities  are  gone  over  my  head  ;  as  an 


THE  SPIRITUAL    EESUREECnOIS'.  355 

heavy  burden  they  are  too  h^vy  for  me.  My  woimcls  stink  and 
are  corrupt,  because  of  my  foolishness.  I  am  troubled,  I  am 
bowed  down  greatly  :  I  go  mourning  all  the  day  long.  For  my 
loins  are  filled  with  a  loathsome  disease,  and  there  is  no  sound- 
ness in  my  tiesh.  I  am  feeble  and  sore  broken;  I  have  roared 
by  reason  of  the  disquietness  of  my  heart.  O  Lord,  all  my 
desire  is  before  thee;  and  my  groaning  is  not  hid  from  thee. 
My  heart  panteth;  my  strength  faileth  mc;  as  for  the  light  of 
mine  eyes  it  has  departed. 

Endure  sorrow  and  distress:  according  to  James  4,  9.  Be 
afflicted  and  mourn  and  weep :  Let  your  laughter  be  turned  to 
mourning,  and  your  joy  to  heaviness.  Paul  says,  (2  Cor.  7,  9 :) 
Ye  were  made  sorry  after  a  godly  manner  to  repentance:  For 
godly  sorrow  worketh  repentance  to  salvation,  not  to  be  repented 
'  of;  but  the  sorrow  of  the  world  worketh  death :  seeing  that  ye 
sorrowed  after  a  godly  sort,  what  carefulness  it  wrought  in  you, 
what. clearing  of  yourselves,  yea  what  indignation,  what  fear, 
vehement  desire,  revenge,  etc. 

Behold,  thus  we  have  to  die  with  Christ  unto  sin,  if  we  would 
be  made  alive  with  him;  (1  Tim.  2,  )  for  none  can  rejoice  with 
Christ,  unless  he  first  suffer  with  him;  for  this  is  a  sure  word, 
says  Paul:  If  we  died  with  him,  we  shall  also  live  with  him;  if 
we  suffer  with  him,  we  shall  also  reign  with  him. 

This  resurrection  includes  the  new  creature,  the  spiritucil 
birth,  sanctification,  v>dthoat  which  none  shall  see  the  Lord, 
(Heb.  12;)  this  Paul  testifies  in  a  few  words,  saying:  In  Christ 
Jesus  neither  circumcision  nor  uncircumcision  availeth,  but  a 
new  creature.  Again:  If  any  one  is  in  Christ  Jesus  he  is  a  new 
creature — old  things  have  passed  away,  all  things  have  become 
new,  &c.,  (Gal.  6;  2  Cor.  5,)  and  this  is  the  first  resurrection ; 
for  if  we  have  been  planted  together  in  the  likeness  of  his  death, 
(Rom.  6, )  that  is  through  mortifying  the  sinful  nature  of  earthly 
Adam,  fCol.  3,)  with  all  his  members  or  wicked  lusts,  we  then 
shall  also  be  made  partakers  of  his  resurrection,  (Rom.  6, )  and 
know  that  our  old  man  is  crucified  with  him,  that  the  sinful 
body  is  destroyed,  (Col.  2, )  and  keep  the  true  sabbath  in  Christ, 
by  putting  off  the  sinful  body  in  the  flesh,  circumcised  with  the 
circumcision  of  Christ,  which  is  done  without  hands,  (Gal.  5,) 
buried  through  baptism,  in  which  we  have  also  risen  with  him 
through  faith,  which  is  the  operation  of  God,  (Col.  2,)  we  cea?e 
from  all  works  of  the  flesh,  (Rom,  6;  1  Pet.  4,)  ^i'®  led  by  the 
spirit,  bring  forth  the  fruits  of  the  spirit,  henceforth,  not  serve 
sin ;  let  it  suffice  that  we  spent  our  former  days  after  the  man- 
ner of  the  heathens,  when  we  walked  in  vanity,  wantonness, 
drunkenness,  eating  and  drinking,  and  in  abominable  idolatry, 
and  that  we  spend  the  remainder  of  our  days  not  after  the  lusts 
of  men,  but  live  according  to  the  will  of  God,  that  we  may  say 


356  THE  SPIRITUAL    KESURRECTION. 

with  Paul:  I  am  crucified  with  Christ;  nevertheless,  I  live ! 
yet  not  I,  but  Christ  liveth  in  me;  and  the  life  which  I  now 
live  in  the  flesh,  I  live  by  the  faith  of  the  son  of  God,  who  loved 
me  and  gave  himself  for  me,  (Gal.  2,)  therefore,  died  he  for  all, 
so  that  those  who  live,  should  not  live  unto  themselves,  but  unto 
him  who  died  for  them,  and  rose  again.     (2  Cor.  5.) 

To  have  a  more  correct  knowledge  of  this  resurrection  and 
regeneration,  we  must  bear  in  mind  that  all  creatures,  (Gen. 
1 , )  bring  forth  aftei'  their  kind,  and  every  creature  partakes  of 
the  properties,  propensities  and  dispositions  of  that  which 
brought  it  forth,  as  Christ  says:  That  which  is  born  of  flesh,  is 
flesh,  and  cannot  see  eternal  life ;  and  that  which  is  born  of  spirit 
is  spirit,  life  and  peace,  which  is  eternal  life,  (John  3;  Rom.  8;) 
that  which  is  born  of  flesh,  out  of  the  earth  through  corruptible 
seed,  is  carnally-minded,  that  is,  earthly,  and  speaks  of  earthly 
things,  is  desirous  after  costly  and  perishable  things;  all  the 
thoughts,  the  whole  seeking,  all  the  desires  are  directed  towards 
earthly, temporal,  or  visible  things,  such  things  as  those  of  which 
it  is  born,  or  from  which  it  proceeds.  That  which  is  born  of  flesh 
and  blood,  is  flesh  and  blood,  and  is  carnally-minded;  but  the 
carnal  mind  is  enmity  against  God,  for  it  is  not  subject  to  the 
law  of  God,  neither  indeed  can  be.  (Rom.  8.)  Therefore,  those 
who  are  carnal  cannot  please  God;  for  such  are  altogether 
deaf,  blind  and  ignorant  in  divine  things.  For  a  carnal  man 
cannot  apprehend  or  comprehend  divine  things,  for  by  nature 
he  has  not  that  discernment;  but  on  the  contrary  his  mind  is 
depraved — God  is  not  in  his  mind.  A  carnal  man  cannot  under- 
stand spiritual  things,  for  he  is  by  nature  a  child  of  the  devil, 
and  is  not  spiritually-minded,  (Rom.  8;  1  Cor.  2;)  hence,  he 
comprehends  nothing  spiritual;  for  by  nature  he  is  a  stranger 
to  God;  has  nothing  of  a  divine  nature  dwelling  in  him,  nor  has 
communion  with  God,  but  is  much  rather  at  enmity  with  God; 
he  is  unmerciful,  unjust,  unclean,  not  peaceable,  impatient, 
without  understanding  and  unhappy,  &c.  So  are  all  men  by 
nature  according  to  their  birth  and  origin  after  the  flesh.  This 
is  the  first  or  old  Adam,  and  is  called  in  the  scriptures  ungodly, 
that  is,  without  God,  a  stranger  and  destitute  of  the  divine 
nature.     (Rom.  5;  Eph.  2;  Col.  1.) 

This  is  the  nature  and  property  of  the  earthly  and  devilish 
seed:  for  as  the  seed  is,  so  is  the  fruit;  for  what  a  man  sows, 
he  shall  also  reap.  For  he  that  sows  to  the  flesh,  shall  of  the 
flesh  reap  corruption.  (Gal.  6,)  and  bring  forth  fruit  unto  death: 
he  sins  like  his  father,  of  whom  and  through  whose  seed  he  is 
bom:  for  he  is  the  father  of  lies  and  sinned  from  the  beginning, 
and  did  not  abide  in  the  truth,  (Rom.  8;  Wis.  2;  John  8;  Gen. 
8,)  he,  therefore,  that  sins  is  of  the  devil,  for  sin  is  not  of  God, 
but  of  the  devil,  and  he  that  sins  has  not  seen  God,  nor  known 


THE   SPIRITUAL    RESURRECTION.  337 

him;  aud  we  know  that  the  son  of  God  was  made  manifest  to 
take  away  sin  and  destroy  the  works  of  the  devil,  (1  John  3,) 
and  through  his  death  deprive  Him  of  power  who  had  the  power 
of  death,  that  is  the  devil,  (Heb.  2,)  and  deliver  them,  who 
through  fear  of  death  were  all  their  life-time  subject  to  bond- 
age, (Rom.  5;  John  8,^  for  by  the  sin  of  one  man  all  were  made 
sinners.  He  that  sins  is  the  servant  of  sin,  and  does  the  will 
and  works  of  him  whose  servant  he  is,  and  whose  spirit  leads 
him;  for  every  one  is  a  servant  to  him  whom  he  serves,  whether 
of  sin  unto  death,  or  of  obedience  unto  righteousness;  (Rom. 
6;)  for  he  that  does  unjustly  shall  receive  according  to  his 
works.  To  them  Paul  speaks,  that  they  should  awakc^n  from 
the  sleep  of  sin  and  death,  so  that  the  second  death  shall  have 
no  power  over  them;  saying:  Awake  thou  tJiat  sleepest,  and 
arise  from  the  dead,  and  Christ  shall  give  thee  light.  (Eph.  5,  14.) 
On  the  other  hand,  all  those  who  are  born  from  above  out  of 
God,  through  the  living  word,  (John  1;  James  1;  Pet.  l,j  and 
arc  renewed,  they  are  also  minded,  and  have  a  disposition  and 
propensity  for  good,  as  he  has  who  has  begotten  them  and  of 
whom  they  are  born.  And  what  the  nature  and  dispo-ifion  of 
God  and  Christ  are,  we  may  readily  perceive  through  the  in- 
struction of  the  sacred  scriptures;  for  Christ  has  expressly  set 
forth  himself  h\  his  word;  namely,  after  his  human  nature,  that 
we  are  to  know,  apprehend,  and  follow  him,  and  shall  be  like 
him  :  not  according  to  his  divine  nature ;  for  he  is  the  true 
image  of  the  invisible  God,  the  brightness  of  his  glory,  and  the 
express  image  of  his  person,  who  dwells  in  ineffable  light,  whom 
none  can  approach  or  see,  (Col.  1;  Heb.  I;  1  Tim.  3;  Exod.  33; 
John  1,)  but  after  his  walk  and  life  here  upon  earth,  as  he  testi- 
fied and  showed  among  men  in  words,  deed  and  example,  for  us 
to  follow  and  conform  thereto,  in  order  that  we  may  become 
partakers  of  his  nature  in  the  spirit.  (Matt.  11;  Ps,  54,  85.) 
Christ  is  every  where  in  the  scriptures  represented  to  us  as 
being  humble,  meek,  merciful,  just,  holy,  wise,  spiritual,  long 
suffering,  patient,  peaceable,  salvation,  love,  obedience  and 
good  as  the  pei'fection  of  all  things;  for  in  him  there  is  sin- 
cerity. (Acts  3;  Heb.  7;  1  Pet.  1;  1  Cor.  1;  John  4;  Matt.  5; 
Col  3;  2  Cor.  4.)  Behold,  this  is  the  image  of  God,  or  Christ 
in  the  spirit,  whose  example  we  shall  follow  till  we  become 
like  it  in  nature,  and  evidence  it  by  our  lives;  all  the  regenera- 
ted children  of  God  are  thus  minded,  for  they  take  after  him 
of  whom  they  are  begotten;  and  those  are  like  the  others, 
comprised  in  one  word,  namely,  godly,  or  godly  persons,  as 
those  who  have  communion  with  him  are  one  mind  and  dispo- 
sition, and  who  have  the  image  of  God  in  them,  as  the  scrip- 
tures, both  of  the  Old  and  New  Testament,  abundantly  show,  es- 
pecially in  the  epistle  to  the  Colossians,  in  the  3d  chapter,  where 


358  THE  SPIRITUAL    RESUERECTION. 

lie  says :  Put  off  the  old  man  witli  Ids  deeds,  and  put  on  the 
new  man  which  is  renewed  in  knowledge  after  the  image  of  him 
who  created  him;  Put  on^  therefore,  as  the  elect  of  Ood,  holy 
and  beloved,  boicels  of  mercies,  kindness,  humbleness  of  mind, 
meekness,  long  siiff^ering,  forbearing  one  another,  and  forgiving 
one  another,  if  any  man  hare  a  quarrel  against  any,  even  as 
Christ  forgave  you,  so  also  do  ye;  and  above  all  things  put  on 
charity,  which  is  the  bond  of  'perfeciness ;  and  let  the  peace  of 
God  rule  in  your  hearts  to  the  which  ye  are  called  in  one  body: 
and  be  ye  thankful,  Sfc.  (Gal.  4;  Phil.  2.)  3iy  little  children,  of 
ichom.  I  travail  in  birth  again  until  Christ  be  formed  in  you. 
Let  this  mind  be  in  you  which  ivas  also  in  Christ  Jesus,  for 
Christ  is  the  image  of  Ood  to  whom  ive  must  conform.  (Heb.  1.) 
For  ichom  he  did  foreknow,  he  did  also  predestinate  to  be  con- 
formed to  the  im.age  of  his  Son.  (Rom.  8.)  Those,  therefore, 
who  have  conformed  to  the  imaf^e  of  Christ  Jesus,  they  are  the 
truly  regenerated  children  of  God,  and  have  put  off  the  old 
man,  and  put  on  the  new  which  is  created  after  God,  in  true 
righteousness  and  holiness. 

These,  when  they  have  conformed  to  the  image  of  God,  and 
have  been  born  of  God,  and  afterwards  continue  in  God,  will 
not  commit  sin,  for  the  seed  of  God  remains  in  them;  and  they 
have  overcome  the  world,  (Gal.  6;  1  John  3,)  they  are  crucified 
to  the  world,  and  the  world  unto  them,  (Rom.  6;)  have  mortified 
their  flesh,  and  buried  their  sinful  body  with  Christ  in  baptism, 
with  all  their  lusts  and  desires,  and  no  longer  serve  sin  unto 
unrighteousness,  but  much  more  righteousness  unto  salvation; 
for  they  have  put  on  Christ,  and  are  purified  through  the  Holy 
Ghost,  in  their  consciences,  from  dead  works  to  serve  the  living- 
God;  bringing  forth  through  the  spirit  the  fruits  of  the  spirit, 
whose  end  is  eternal  life.  (Gal.  5;  Heb.  9.)  When  these  (as 
above  said)  have  renounced  the  devil,  flesh  and  world,  and  the 
service  of  sin,  no  more  to  serve  sin,  they  have  voluntarily  obli- 
gated themselves  with  David,  as  faithful  servants  of  God,  and 
henceforth  live  according  to  his  blessed  will  all  their  days.  (Ps. 
118.)  And  on  the  other  hand  the  devil,  with  his  adherents,  is 
mightily  enraged,  is  waging  war  against  them;  because  they 
are  deadly  enemies;  ("Rqy,  12;)  and  they  are  enemies  to  sin  and 
the  devil,  and  have  enlisted  under  the  banner  of  the  red  cross  of 
their  prince,  and  have  taken  the  field  against  all  their  enemies 
—they  are  armed  with  the  armor  of  God,  and  surrounded  with 
angels  of  the  Lord,  (Acts  3;  Heb.  12;  Ps.  33,)  always  watch- 
ing with  great  solicitude,  lest  they  be  overcome  by  their  enemies, 
who  do  not  slumber,  but  are  always  going  about  like  roaring 
lions  seeking  whom  they  may  devour,  and  although  they  receive 
occasionally  a  wound,  and  are  overtaken  by  their  enemies,  still 
their  souls  remain  uninjured,  and  this  wound  is  not  unto  death; 


THE   SriRITUAL    RESURRECTION.  359 

for  they  have  the  unction  of  God,  (1  John  5;)  the  true  Samari- 
tan and  the  true  physician  with  them,  who  binds  up  and  heals 
tlieir  wounds;  for  he  has  compassion  over  our  weakness  and 
sickness.  Throug^h  liis  stripes  and  wounds  we  are  made  whole. 
(Luke  10;  Isa.  IG,  53;  Rom.  6.)  Nor  are  they  so  overcome  that 
they  will  cast  from  them  their  weapons,  and  thus  surrender, 
again  to  become  servants  of  sin,  (Eph.  6;  Phil.  4,)  which  should 
again  acquire  the  ascendency  over  them  and  rule  them;  but 
they  are  encouraged  anew  of  the  Lord,  and  in  the  strength  of 
his  povfer,  they  persevere  valiantly  in  battle,  till  they,  through 
him,  by  whom  they  can  do  all  things,  have  conquered  their 
enemy,  and  gloriously  say  to  their  enemy:  O  death,  where  is 
thy  sting?  O  grave  where  is  thy  victory?  (1  Cor.  15,)  thank- 
ing God  with  Paul:  But  thanks  be  to  God  who  giveth  us  the 
victory,  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  The  Lord,  says  Jere- 
miah, (Jer.  20,)  is  with  me  as  a  mighty,  terrible  one,  therefore 
shall  my  persecutors  stumble,  and  they  shall  not  prevail,  &c., 
and  say  with  David:  Blessed  be  the  Lord,  my  strength,  who 
teaches  my  hands  to  war  and  my  fingers  to  fight;  (Ps.  144;) 'and 
they  are  not  moved  till  they  have  broken  their  enemies  to 
pieces:  Blessed  be  the  Lord  that  he  has  not  given  us  as  a  prey 
in  their  teeth;  our  souls  have  escaped,  like  a  bird  from  the 
fowler's  snare;  the  cord  is  rent,  and  we  are  ransomed  from  our 
enemies,  and  out  of  the  hand  of  those  who  hate  us,  &c.  (Luke 
1.)  The  Lord  is  a  rewarder  of  them  that  diligently  seek,  love 
and  serve  him,  (Heb.  11,)  as  it  is  written :  Behold  the  Lord 
cometh,  and  his  reward  is  with  him;  (Rev.  22;)  yea  his  reward 
and  the  gift  of  God  are  eternal  life  through  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord.  For,  if  you  serve  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  you  will  re- 
ceive the  reward  of  your  inheritance,  the  crown  of  life,  which 
God  has  promised  those  who  love  him.  (Rom,  G;  Col.  3;  James 
1;  2  Tim.  4.) 

As  stated  above,  that  every  creature  has  the  nature  and  dis- 
position of  him  of  whom  it  is  born,  therefore,  we  will  speak  a 
few  words  concerning  the  nature,  properties  and  eftects  of  the 
seed  of  the  divine  word,  whereby  we  are  begotten  in  the  image 
of  God;  for  where  this  seed  is  sown  upon  good  ground,  into  the 
heart  of  man,  there  it  grows  and  produces  its  like  in  nature  and 
property,  it  changes  and  renews  the  whole  man,  from  the  carnal 
into  the  spiritual,  the  earthly  into  the  heavenly,  it  transforms 
from  death  unto  life,  from  unbelief  to  belief,  and  makes  man 
happy,  (John  3;  Rom.  8;  John  1;  Gal.  3,)  for  through  this  seed 
all  nations  upon  earth  are  blessed.  (Gen.  22.)  Therefore,  says 
James:  Wherefore  lay  apart  all  filthiness  and  suT>erfluity  of 
naughtiness,  and  receive  with  meekness  the  engrafted  word 
which  is  able  to  save  your  souls.  (Jamesl:21.)  It  is  also  the  pure, 
unadulterated  milk,  whereby  the  young  and  new  born  children 


360  THE   SPIRlTtJAL    RESUKEECTIOSJ. 

of  God  are  nurtured,  till  they  attain  to  a  perfect  man,  unto  the 
measure  of  the  stature  of  the  fullness  of  Christ,  (Eph.  4,)  it  is 
also  strong  food  for  the  perfect  and  aged  in  Christ  Jesus.  (Heb. 
0.)  In  short,  this  seed  of  the  divine  word  is  spiritual  food 
whereby  the  whole  inner  man  is  ascertained,  (1  Pet.  1,)  so  that 
he  perish  and  faint  not  in  this  wilderness  and  desolate  world,  as 
all  have  to  starve  and  faint  who  do  not  daily  gather  the  bread 
of  the  divine  word  to  satisfy  their  starving  souls,  (Deut.  8; 
Matt.  4, )  for  man  lives  not  by  bread  alone,  but  by  every  word 
which  proceeds  from  the  mouth  of  God.  Therefore,  is  he 
blessed  who  hungers  after  this  heavenly  bread,  and  receives  the 
ingrafted  word;  for  it  will  bring  forth  after  its  nature,  in  due 
time,  one  hundred  fold.  (Matt.  13.)  For,  says  the  Lord,  as  the 
rain  cometh  down,  and  the  snow  from  heaven,  and  returneth 
not  thither,  but  watereth  the  earth,  and  maketh  it  bring  forth 
and  bud,  that  it  may  give  seed  to  the  sower  and  bread  to  the 
eater,  so  shall  my  word  be  that  goeth  forth  out  of  my  mouth; 
it  shall  not  return  unto  me  void,  but  it  shall  accomplish  tliat 
which  I  please.     (Isa.  55.) 

Behold,  this  is  the  nature,  property  and  effects  of  the  seed  of 
the  word  of  God,  by  which  men  are  renewed,  regenerated,  sanc- 
tified and  saved  through  this  incorruptible  seed,  (namely,  the 
living  word  of  God  which  abides  to  eternity,  1  Pet.  1,)  and 
are  clothed  with  the  same  power  from  above,  are  filled  with 
the  Holy  Ghost,  (Luke  24, )  and  are  thus  united  to  God,  that 
they  become  partakers  of  the  divine  nature,  and  be  made  con- 
formable to  the  image  of  his  Son,  who  is  the  first  of  the  regen- 
erated, (2  Pet.  1;  Kom.  8;  2  Cor.  3;  Col.  1,)  and  those  who 
rose  with  him  from  the  sleep  and  death  of  sin,  henceforth  serve 
him  not  in  the  oldness  of  the  letter,  but  in  the  newness  of  the 
spirit.  (Rev.  1;  Rom.  7.) 

He  that  is  truly  sincere,  and  has  this  principle  and  disposi- 
tion in  his  heart,  has  put  on  Christ  Jesus,  is  become  like  unto 
Christ,  and  has  the  image  of  God  in  his  heart,  and  is  spiritually 
minded,  is  led  by  the  spirit,  in  his  spirit,  from  whose  spiritual 
body  spiritual  fruits  are  brought  forth,  as  a  well  springing  up 
unto  eternal  life.  (John  4,  7.)  For  they  are  regenerated  through 
the  word  which  was  sown  in  their  hearts,  begotten  of  God,  and 
born  anew  to  bring  forth  fruit  of  eternal  life;  they,  therefore, 
as  children  born  of  God,  are  the  same  as  the  father,  of  one  mind 
and  disposition,  have  the  divine  nature  of  their  Father,  who  has 
begotten  them;  whose  thoughts  are  heavenly,  whose  words  are 
truth,  well  seasoned,  whose  good  works  are  holy,  acceptable  to 
God  and  man;  for  they  are  holy  vessels  of  honor,  useful  and 
ready  to  every  good  work.  (Col.  3,  4;  2  Tim.  2.) 

Even  as  Paul  (Rom.  6)  exhorts  those  who  are  born  of  the 
corruptible  seed  of  flesh  and  blood,  who  are  earthly,  sensual, 


THE   SPIRITUAL    RESURRECTION.  861 

without  understanding  and  blind  in  divine  things;  yea,  children 
of  wrath,  that  they  should  die  unto  sin,  mortify  and  bury  the 
lusts  and  desires  of  tlie  flesh,  and  then  rise  by  virtue  of  the 
heavenly  seed  from  the  sleep  and  death  of  sin  and  be  regene- 
rated, and  walk  in  newness  of  life,  which  is  the  first  resurrection, 
saying:  Awake  thou  that  sleepest,  and  arise  from  the  dead,  and 
Christ  shall  give  thee  light.  (Eph.  5.)  So  does  he  also  admonish 
all  regenerated  children  of  God,  who  have  been  changed  in 
mind  and  disposition  through  the  eternal  saving  seed  of  God, 
who  have  been  regenerated  and  are  risen,  that  they  should  be 
godly,  spiritually  and  heavenly  minded,  and  strive  for  and  de- 
sire heavenly,  incorruptible  things;  and  that  their  heart  (1  Pet. 
1,)  should  be  where  their  treasure  is,  (Luke  12;  Eph.  1,  2,) 
and  their  conversation  in  heaven,  as  fellow  saints  of  the  house 
of  God,  telling  them:  If  then  ye  he  risen  with  Christ,  seek 
those  things  which  are  above,  where  Christ  sitteth  on  the  right  hand 
of  God;  set  your  affections  on  things  above,  not  on  things  on  the 
earth;  for  ye  are  dead,  and  your  life  is  Jiid  with  Christ  in  Ood; 
when  Christ,  who  is  our  life,  shall  appear,  then  shall  ye  also  ap- 
pear with  him  in  glory.  (Col.  3.)  Here  we  have  an  account 
how  the  regenerated  children  of  God  have  risen  with  Christ 
from  the  dead,  and  now  live  with  him,  converse  upon  heavenly 
things,  and  appear  to  the  world  as  not  living,  for  their  life  is 
hid  in  God,  as  St.  John  says:  Now  we  are  the  sons  of  God,  and 
it  doth  not  yet  appear  what  we  shall  be ;  but  we  know  that 
when  he  shall  appear,  we  shall  be  like  him;  for  we  shall  see  him 
as  he  is.     (1  John  3.) 

With  these  and  the  like  words  the  scriptures  admonish  the 
truly  regenerated  and  those  who  have  arisen,  that  they  should 
take  heed  to  their  calling,  and  continue  perfect  in  a  new,  godly 
walk,  (Heb.  3, )  for  if  they  have  been  made  partakers  of  Christ, 
they  should  persevere  to  the  end,  lest  they  again  depart  from 
the  living  God  through  the  deceitfulness  of  sin  and  an  evil 
heart  of  unbelief;  and  they  should  remain  steadfast  and  perfect, 
as  the  children  of  God,  and  inherit  the  kingdom  of  their  Father, 
and  reign  in  eternity  and  rule  over  sin,  death,  devil  and  hell, 
and  all  the  enemies  of  the  kingdom,  whom  they  overcome  with 
Christ  as  valiant  men;  therafore,  will  they  also  sit  with  Christ 
at  the  table  of  the  Lord,  (Luke  13, )  eat  the  bread  and  drink  the 
wine  of  the  kingdom  of  heaven;  even  as  Christ  overcame,  and 
sitteth  with  his  Father  in  his  kingdom  which  is  prepared  for 
them;  as  a  fortified  city;  (Rev.  3;  2  Esd.  7,  8:)  free  from  all 
care  of  their  enemies;  in  full  rest,  full  of  life  and  joy;  for  they 
eat  of  the  tree  of  life  which  is  in  the  midst  of  Paradise;  which 
pleasure  garden  is  ever  close  to  the  unregeuerated,  who  are 
still  earthly  and  sensually  minded,  who  stiU  have  by  nature  the 
vail  and  partition  wall  of  sin  before  their  hearts. 

16 


3C2  THE   SPIRITUAL    KESURRECTION. 

These  are  they  who  died  with  Christ  unto  sin,  and  have  truly 
risen,  (Rom.  6;  Jolin  1,)  these  are  the  new  born,  to  whom  the 
power  is  given  to  become  the  sons  of  God,  these  were  redeemed 
out  of  all  nations,  (Rev.  5,  7,  19,)  these  have  on  the  wedding 
garments  against  the  marriage  of  the  Lamb,  these  have  received 
the  sign  TAU  in  their  foreheads  by  which  the  servants  of  God 
are  designated,  (Ez.  9;  Rev.  7,)  these  are  the  spiritual  bride  of 
Christ,  his  holy  community,  his  spiritual  body,  flesh  of  his  flesh 
and  bone  of  his  bone,  (Eph.  5,)  these  have  come  to  the  heavenly 
Jerusalem,  the  city  of  the  living  God,  which  came  down  from 
heaven,  (Rev.  21,)  these  have  come  to  an  innumerable  company 
of  angels,  to  the  general  assembly  of  the  church  of  the  first  born 
which  are  written  in  heaven,  (Heb,  12,)  and  to  Jesus,  the  medi- 
ator of  the  new  covenant;  they  are  fellow  citizens  in  the  house- 
hold of  God  who  have  put  off"  the  corruptible  garment,  (Eph.  2, 
4;  Esd.  3,)  and  put  on  the  incorruptible,  have  acknowledged 
the  name  of  God,  and  kept  his  commandments,  (Rev.  14,)  and 
the  faith  of  Jesus;  the  true  sheep  of  Christ,  who  hear  his  voice, 
and  follow  no  other;  (John  10;)  the  first  fruits  of  his  creatures 
have  the  spirit  and  mind  of  Christ,  therefore,  knowing  what 
the  will  of  the  Lord  is;  (James  1;  Rom.  8;)  yea,  the  chosen  gen- 
ration,  the  spiritual  and  royal  priesthooil,  a  holy  nation,  a  pe- 
culiar people;  (Eph.  5;  1  Pet.  3;)  who  in  times  past  were  not  a 
people,  but  now  the  people  of  God,  for  God  had  compassion  on 
them;  these  are  the  souls  who  were  slain,  under  the  altar,  for 
the  word  of  God.  (Rev.  6.) 

In  short,  with  them  old  things  have  passed  away;  heliold  all 
things  have  become  new  ;  hut  this  is  all  of  God;  icho  has  recon- 
ciled us  unto  himself  through  Jesus  Christ ;  these  are  they  who 
stand  before  the  throne  of  God,  with  palms  in  their  hands,  and 
clothed  in  white,  saying:  Blessing,  and  glory,  wisdom,  thanks- 
giving, honor,  power  and  might  be  unto  our  God  forever  and 
ever.     Amen.     (3  Esd.  3;  Rev.  7.) 

This  is  a  short  instruction  concerning  the  spiritual  resurrection 
and  the  new  birth,  and  the  difiference  between  the  natural  and 
spiritual;  between  the  earthly  and  the  heavenly;  and  how  every 
one  is  disposed,  inclined,  and  of  what  mind  he  is,  according  to 
his  birth  or  origin,  and  that  he  is  of  the  same  disposition,  of  the 
same  mind,  and  of  such  a  nature  as  that  is  of  which  he  is  born, 
that  which  generated  him;  for  the  natural  man  is  not  spiritual, 
neither  is  that  which  is  born  of  flesh  and  blood,  the  spiritual 
birth  of  God  from  heaven;  but  like  produces  like.  (John  4.) 
As  the  natural  man  is,  so  are  they,  who  are  naturally  born. 
Such  as  God  is,  who  is  a  spirit  and  in  heaven,  such  are  also 
they  who  are  spiritually  born  from  heaven,  who  far  exceed 
tliose  naturally  born  of  flesh. 

Here,  as  in  a  mirror,  one  may  view  and  examine  himself, 


'tHE  SPIRITUAL    RESURRECTION.  363 

and  judge  of  what  birth,  miud,  disposition,  uatiue,  life  and 
conduct  he  is;  for  here  a  man,  by  taking  a  little  pains,  can 
judge  and  prove  himself.  A  man's  walk,  word  and  actions, 
and  the  thoughts  of  his  heart,  all  show  what  he  is;  (1  Cor.  2;) 
for  man  knows  himself  best,  and  no  one  knows  what  is  in  man, 
but  the  spirit  which  is  in  man. 

Again:  as  many  therefore,  who  after  having  proved  them- 
selves, find  that  they  are  not  renewed  and  regenerated  after 
their  first  birth,  according  to  the  flesh,  in  their  mind,  under- 
standing, spirit  and  disposition,  but  are  yet  altogether  sensual, 
earthly,  worldly  and  devilishly  minded;  and  from  their  depraved, 
inbred  nature,  are  prone  and  willing  to  do  all  manner  of  evil, 
they  will  humble  themselves  before  God,  with  Jeremiah,  ( Jer. 
3,)  saying:  Let  us  examine  and  prove  our  w^ays,  and  let  us  tuni 
unto  the  Lord,  let  us  lift  our  hands  and  hearts  to  God  in  heaven, 
and  say,  we  have  sinned  before  heaven  and  in  thy  sight,  and  have 
excited  thy  wrath :  Let  us  weep  and  let  our  eyes  run  over  with 
water;  and  say  with  David:  Come,  let  us  worship  and  bow 
down;  let  us  kneel  before  the  Lord  our  Maker,  and  entreat  him 
that  he  would  make  glad  the  work  of  his  hands,  and  renew  us 
whom  he  created — let  us  humbly  entreat  him  for  his  spirit, 
which  is  the  great  cause  of  all  this,  and  say:  Lord,  send  forth 
thy  spirit,  and  they  will  be  created,  and  thou  wilt  renew  the  face 
of  the  earth,  (1  Cor.  12;  Ps.  95,  103;)  and  thus  they  continue 
•in  prayer  and  in  their  desires  to  God,  till  they  are  clothed  with 
the  power  of  the  spirit  from  on  high,  converted  and  renevred  in 
the  spirit  of  their  mind;  and  with  astonishment  say:  This  is 
the  change  wrought  by  the  right  hand  of  God  the  most  High. 
(Ps.  760 

Also,  those  who  on  examining  themselves,  find  that  they  are 
born  from  above  by  the  grace  of  God,  that  they  are  new  in 
Christ,  and  have  become  a  temple  of  God,  and  that  they  take 
heed  to  themselves  according  to  the  counsel  of  the  scriptures, 
in  order  that,  since  they  are  washed,  purified,  regenerated  and 
sanctified,  they  do  not  again  defile  themselves,  and  pollute  the 
temple  of  God;  if  any  man  defile  the  temple  of  God,  him  shall 
God  destroy,  (1  Cor.  3;)  they  pray  in  the  spirit  with  assured 
confidence,  to  God,  their  Father,  with  David:  O  God  strengthen 
us  and  confirm  in  us  that  which  thou  didst  cause  in  us  !  (Ps. 
17.)  He  will  then  hear  in  his  holy  temple,  according  to  his 
promise;  for  he  is  faithful  who  has  begun  the  good  work  in  you, 
he  will  also  perform  it  until  the  day  of  Jesus  Christ.  (Phil.  1.) 
Peter  says:  Give  all  diligence,  add  to  your  faith  virtue;  and  to 
virtue  knowledge;  and  to  knowledge  temperance :  and  to  tem- 
perance patience;  and  to  patience  godliness;  and  to  godliness 
brotherly  kindness;  and  to  brotherly  kindness  charity;  for  if 
these  be  in  you.  and  abound,  they  make  you  that  ye  shall  neither 


864  CONCLUSION. 

be  barren  nor  unfruitful  in  the  knowledge  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ;  but  he  that  lacketh  these  things,  is  blind  and  cannot 
see  afar  off,  and  hath  forgotten  that  he  was  purged  from  his  old 
sins;  wherefore,  the  rather,  brethren,  give  diligence  to  make 
your  calling  and  election  sure :  for  if  ye  do  these  things,  ye  shall 
never  fail;  for  so  an  entrance  shall  be  ministered  unto  you 
abundantly,  into  the  everlasting  kingdom  of  our  Lord  and 
Saviour,  Jesus  Christ.     (2  Pet.  l.)f 

May  the  God  of  all  grace,  who  will  gather  all  his  chosen  in 
the  last  resurrection  into  his  kingdom,  grant  us  such  hearts, 
minds  and  dispositions,  that  we  through  true  faith,  may  die 
unto  ourselves,  deny  and  renounce  ourselves,  that  we  may  have 
part  in  the  first  resurrection  spoken  of,  which  resurrection  does 
not  take  place  in  the  bodily  resurrection  from  the  dead,  as  will 
be  the  case  in  the  other  resurrection,  at  the  last  day,  but  this 
resurrection  consists  alone  in  dying  unto,  mortifying  and  bury- 
ing the  sinful  body  through  putting  off  and  dying  unto  the  old 
life,  and  to  rise  and  be  received  into  a  new,  divine  conduct  and 
pious  life.  May  Jesus  Christ  help  us  in  all  this,  who  is  blessed 
forever.     Amen. 


CONCLUSION. 


Here,  kind  reader,  you  have  a  brief  instruction  of  the 
Spiritual  Resurrection  from  Death  or  the  Sleep  of  Sin,  some 
inducements  to  awaken  and  arise,  and  henceforth  to  live  a  godly, 
pious,  unblamable  life,  according  to  the  example  of  Jesus  Christ, 
as  the  scriptures  abundantly  instruct  us,  and  as  is  partially 
related  here;  for  the  Father  himself  in  heaven  directs  us  to 
Christ,  and  says:  This  is  my  beloved  Son,  in  whom  I  am  well 
pleased,  hear  ye  him.  He  says:  Ye  sJiall  hear  him.  Moses  also 
testifies  of  him,  and  says:  The  Lord,  thy  God,  icill  raise  iinto 
thee  a  prophet  from  the  midst  of  thy  brethren,  like  unto  me,  unto 
him  ye  shall  hearken,  and  every  soul  which  will  not  hear  that 
Prophet,  shall  he  destroyed  from  among  the  people.    (A.cts3.) 

Thus  we  counsel  and  admonish  all  in  general,  of  whatevf"" 
name,  city  and  condition,  that  they  would  be  pleased  to  take 
good  heed  to  the  word  of  the  Lord,  which  we  have  here  briefly 
presented,  according  to  my  Umited  gift;  I  hope  by  the  grace  of 
God,  that  you  will  find  nothing  in  it  but  the  infallible  truth  of 
Christ,  (Matt.  15,)  for  we  have  not  directed  you  to  men,  nor  to 
the  doctrine  nor  commands  of  men,  (John  19,)  but  alone  to 


CONCLUSION.  365 

Jesus  Christ,  and  to  his  holy  word  which  he  taught  and  left 
upon  earth,  and  sealed  it  with  his  blood  and  death,  and  after- 
wards had  it  promulgated  throughout  the  world,  by  his  faithful 
witnesses  and  holy  apostles.     (Mark  16.) 

Besides,  we  say  that  all  doctrines,  which  do  not  agree  with 
the  doctrine  of  Jesus  Christ  and  his  apostles,  if  ever  so  fair  in 
appearance,  they  are  accursed.  (Gal.  1.)  For  his  word  is  the 
truth,  and  his  command  is  eternal  life,  (John  12, 17;)  therefore, 
we  kindly  entreat  you,  from  our  inmost  souls,  that  you  be 
pleased  to  accept  and  read  with  an  understanding  heart,  this 
our  Instruction  concerning  the  Spiritual  Besurrection  and  New 
Creature^  and  compare  and  prove  it  with  the  doctrines  of  the 
apostles;  if  it  does  not  agree  with  theirs,  let  it  be  accursed,  for 
no  man  can  lay  any  other  foundation  than  that  is  laid,  which 
is  Christ  Jesus.  (1  Cor.  3.)  To  him  be  praises  forever  rnd 
ever,  Amen. 


FUNDAMENTAL  DOCTRINE, 


UK    AN  ALCOUN'T    OF 


EXCOMMUNICATION,     BAN,     EXCLUSION, 


OR 


SEPARATION  FROM  THE  CHURCH  OF  CHRIST 


ITS  NATL'KE,  POWERS,  TO  WH03I  IT  EXTENDS; 

ITS    REASONS,    OBJECTS    AND  DESIGN,    AC. — WHY  IT   WAS 

TAUGHT  AND  PRACTICED  BY  THE  APOSTLES, 

AND  COMMANDED  THAT  AVE  SHOULD  PRACTICE  IT. 

FAITHFULLY  COMPILED    FROM  THE   SACRED  SCRIPTURES, 

FOR  THE  USE  OF  ALL  LOVERS  OF  THE  DOCTRINE  OF 

ETERNAL  TRUTH,  TO  PROMOTE  CHRISTIAN 

PEACE  WITHOUT  RESPECT  TO  PARTY. 


Be  ot  one  miad— let  uothiug  be  done  tbrough  strife  or  vaiu  glo 
ry.— Phil.  2. 

Other  foundation  can  no  man  lay  than  that  is  laid,  which  is 
Christ  Jestis.— 1  Cor.  3. 


PEEFACE. 


Brbthrkn  and  sisters  in  Christ :  it  is  knowu  and  evident  to  all  the 
true  children  of  God,  who  are  enlightened  by  his  spirit,  that  human 
reason  is  so  depraved  in  Adam  that  it  possesses  hut  little  light  which 
can  lead  to  godliness ;  yea,  it  has  become  so  unfit,  haughty,  dumb 
and  blind,  that  it  would  even  attempt  presumptuously  to  alter,  bend , 
break,  gainsay,  judge  and  find  fault  with  the  word  of  the  Lord  God ; 
it  will  not  yield  to  any  spirit  or  gift  and  persists  that  it  is  right,  and 
that  all  it  does  or  says  is  to  be  called  God's  word,  whereby  the  saving 
truth  and  blessed  love  and  peace  have  often  to  endure  and  suflfer 
much  detriment  and  infamy. 

In  the  second  place,  it  is  evident  also  that  the  enchanting  spirit  of 
Antichrist  has  made  the  whole  world  so  drunk  with  the  cup  of  his 
abominations,  (Rev.  17,)  has  so  rejected  the  doctrine  of  Christ  and 
his  holy  ajMSstles,  his  sacraments,  spirit,  life,  ordinance,  usages, 
example  and  the  true  worship,  that  but  little  of  a  salutary  nature  is 
left  among  men,  and  hence  it  is  difficult  to  restore  what  has  been 
destroyed  to  its  true  order  and  proper  usage,  to  which  the  Lord  had 
ordained  it. 

In  the  third  place,  it  is  evident  that  the  old  master,  satan,  the  arch 
enemy  of  God  and  souls,  is  alwaj'^s  about  us,  as  a  roaring  lion,  and 
seeking  whom  he  may  devour,  as  Pfeter  says,  (1  Pet.  5,)  he  assails  us 
in  divers  waj''S ;  now  with  the  unclean  wicked  nature  of  our  de- 
praved flesh,  and  anon  with  some  enchanting  false  doctrine  and  fair 
words,  and  again,  by  persecution,  cross  and  fears,  then  with  liberty 
and  worldly  life  of  the  flesh;  now  with  riches  and  abundance,  then 
again  with  defects,  wants  and  poverty.  In  short,  he  shoots  his  fiery 
darts  constantly,  they  fly  by  day  and  by  night,  in  secret  and  in  public. 
He  that  does  not  zealously  abide  in  the  fear  of  God  cannot  withstand 
the  manifold  assaults  of  his  temptations.  Yea,  we  may  at  times 
imagine  all  is  gained,  then  we  are  assaulted  most  violently;  he  raises 
up  some  under  semblance  of  truth,  whom  Paul  calls  men  of  cor- 
rupt minds,  destitute  of  truth,  who  dispute  and  wrangle,  they  are 
envious  persons,  maicious  slanderers,  unclean  perverted  minds, 
they  are  guilty  of  a  lamentable  destruction  of  the  holy  peace  of  God, 
a  grievous  denial  of  Christian  love,  a  hindrance  of  the  saving  doc- 
trine, they  sustain  factious  sects,  and  make  paths  to  i*eprobation,  as 
we  have  abundantly  seen  in  the  days  of  the  open  truth.    (1  Tim.  6.) 

Alas!  brethren,  lake  waraing;  again  I  say,  beware  and  watch; 
for  James  says  that  such  wisdom  is  not  from  above,  but  it  is  earthly, 
sensual  and  devilish ;  for  the  wisdom  which  is  from  above,  is  first 
pure,  then  peaceable,  gentle  and  easy  to  be  entreated,  full  of  mercy 
and  good  Iruits,  without  partiality  and  without  hypocrisy.  (James 
y.)  Yea,  my  brethren,  where  there  is  no  peaceable,  friendly,  saving 
and  impartial  wisdom,  there  is  nothing  but  forced  appearance  of 
good,  powerless,  impure  and  sinful  prayer,  an  unsteady,  wavering 

*16 


370  mEFACE. 

mind,  a  restless  and  troubled  conscience,  full  of  strife  and  dissen- 
sion, no  matter  how  much  we  may  boast  of  the  truth.  The  Lord 
grant  that  we  may  see  this. 

In  the  fourth  place,  it  is  evident  that  the  community  or  church 
cannot  continue  in  the  saving  doctrine,  unblamable  and  pious  life 
without  the  proper  use  of  the  Excomunicatian  or  Ban ;  even  as  a 
city  without  a  good  police,  or  laws  and  regulations,  or  a  field  with- 
out any  inclosure,  and  a  house  without  walls  and  doors,  so  is  also  a 
community  which  has  not  the  true  apostolic  Exclusion  ov  Ban;iox 
without  it  there  would  be  an  opening  for  all  deceiving  spirits,  for  all 
abominations,  and  for  proud  scorners,  for  all  idolatrous  and  wan- 
tonly perverted  sinners :  yea,  for  all  lewd  debauchees,  sodomites, 
adulterers,  as  is  the  case  with  all  the  great  sects  of  the  world,  which 
call  themselves,  though  improperly,  the  church  of  Christ;  according 
to  my  opinion  it  is  the  distinguished  usage,  honor  and  prosperity  of 
sincere  community,  if  they  with  Christian  discretion  teach  the  true 
apostolic  Separation,  and  observe  it  carefully  in  love,  according  to 
the  ordinance  of  the  holy  divine  scriptures;  it  is  more  than  evident, 
if  we  had  not  with  due  zeal  insisted  upon  it,  that  we  would  be 
esteemed  and  called,  by  every  one,  the  members  of  the  sect  of  Munz- 
ter  and  all  other  perverted  sects.  But  (thank  God)  since  in  conse- 
quence of  the  proper  use  of  Excommunication,  it  is  well  known, 
among  several  thousand  honorable,  sincere  persons,  in  diflferent 
principalities,  cities,  and  countries,  that  we  are  guiltless  of,  and 
free  from  all  ungodly  abominations,  and  i)erverted  sects,  and  that 
we  also  do  make  this  known,  unreservedly,  to  the  whole  world,  not 
only  by  our  doctrines,  but  with  our  possessions  and  blood. 

Having  observed  and  laid  this  to  heart,  that  now  the  bright  light 
of  the  holy  gospel  ot  Christ  shines  again  in  refulgent  splendor  in 
these  vexatious  times  of  all  anti-christian  abominations;  God's  own 
and  first  begotten  Son,  Christ  Jesus,  Js  gloriously  revealed,  his  good 
will  and  pleasure  and  holy  word  concerning  faith,  regeneration,  re- 
pentance, baptism,  the  Lord's  supper,  and  the  whole  saving  doctrine, 
life  and  ordinance,  have  again  come  to  light  through  much  seeking, 
prayer,  reading,  teaching  and  writing,  that  now  all  things  (God  be 
praised  for  his  grace)  proceed  according  to  the  true  apostolic  rule 
in  the  community,  whereby  the  kingdom  of  Christ  rises  in  honor, 
and  the  kingdom  of  Antichrist  is  sinking.  For  this  reason  the  arch 
enemy  of  our  souls  violently  opposes,  uses  his  old  wiles  and  arts 
most  subtlely  against  it.  He  appears  under  the  cloak  of  a  Christian, 
(understand  me  rightly,)  boasts  of  faith  proudly,  upbraids;  yea,  re- 
jects  all  the  Babylonian  deeds,  is  baptized,  seats  himself  with  the 
saints  at  the  Lord's  supper,  praises  the  lives  of  the  pious,  hears  ex- 
hortations, gives  alms,  receives  the  poor,  washes  the  saints'  feet, 
says  that  Christ  is  the  son  of  God.  In  short,  In  appearance  he  is  an 
unblamable,  regenerated,  penitent  and  true  Christian.  But  in  the 
mean  time,  he  watches  where  he  may  assail  us  most  easily  and  Injure 
us  the  most,  slily  enters  our  depraved  and  enchanted  understand- 
ing, some  of  whom,  as  is  evident,  as  yet  know  little  what  the  nature 
and  mind  of  the  Holy  Ghost  are,  he  presses  them  closely,  for  he 
knows  how  skilfvdly  to  defend  his  cause  with  the  letter  of  the  scrip- 
tures, he  speaks  gently;  whatever  he  does,  he  does  as  though  out 
of  pure  fear  of  God,  and  love  to  the  community,  with  the  word  and 
truth  of  the  Lord.    Through  his  influence  some,  as  it  were,  out  of 


PREFACE.  371 

great  distress  and  anxietyjof  conscience,  wrangle  and  dispute, 
principally  concerning  the  separation  which  he  can  so  little  tolerate 
and  endure ;  here  and  there  they  raise  pemicioua  questions  and 
answers  whereby  those  who  are  of  a  perverted  and  enchanted  un- 
derstanding, begin  to  be  inflamed  at  each  other,  so  that  some  of 
them  when  they  find  that  they  cannot  stand  before  the  power  of  the 
truth,  leave,  out  of  mere  party  spirit,  the  pleasant  Jerusalem  .ind 
return  again  to  unclean,  blind  Babel ;  or  build  up  a  sect  of  their 
own,  as  I  have  with  much  sorrow  seen  to  be  the  case  two  or  three 
times.  Behold,  this  is  the  pearl  which  the  old  deceiver  seeks  with 
his  ire  and  wrangling ;  for  whether  we  stay  away  from  the  idola- 
trous church  or  not,  be  baptized  or  not,  itis  immaterial  to  him  ;  if 
he  can  only  inflame  our  hearts  with  hatred  and  envy  one  towards 
another,  corrupt  our  minds,  mar  our  love,  destroy  our  peace;  if  he 
can  but  sow  discord,  defamation,  hatred,  lies,  enmity  and  back- 
biting, which  generally  arise  from  such  disputes ;  if  he  can  but  do 
this,  then  he  has  accomplished  what  he  sought.  Ah !  dear  brethren, 
beware,  for  it  is  more  than  clear,  that  all  those  who  have  not  the 
meek,  friendly,  peaceable,  spirit  of  Christ,  but  are  contentious,  are 
not  of  God.    Be  this  known  to  you. 

Seeing  then  we  know,  that  he  did  from  the  beginning  of  the  ex- 
pounded gospel,  to  the  present  moment,  cause  us  much  pain  and 
sorrow  of  heart,  with  his  cunning,  unfruitful  question  of  contention, 
and  other  pernicious  disputations,  I  most  afl"ectionately  and  cor- 
dially entreat  all  who  would  desire  to  walk  peaceably  and  quietly  in 
the  tear  of  God  with  a  good  conscience,  before  the  Lord  and  his 
community,  that  they  would  allbelore  God,  in  Christ  Jesus,  lay  this 
sincerely  to  heart,  how  faithfully  the  Holy  Spirit  of  Christ  warns  us 
concerning  our  unprofitable,  foolish  questions,  answers,  disputa- 
tions, and  quarrels,  (1  Tim.  6;  2  Tim.  2;  Tit.  3,)  for  the  spirit  of  Christ 
is  the  spirit  of  love  and  peace,  and  therefore  teaches  all  his  children 
love  and  peace,  and  writes  it  upon  the  tablets  of  our  hearts  with  his 
gracious  finger.  Ah  1  do  reflect  upon  what  we  teach);  and  that  his 
holy  kingdom  and  word  are  a  word  and  kingdom  of  peace,  and  not 
of  strife;  his  messengers  and  servants,  are  messengers  and  servants 
of  peace,  (Isa.  2,  52;iMich.  4;  Neh.  1;  Rom,  10,)  in  order  that  you,  who 
call  yourselves  after  his  holy  name,  who  alone  has  graciously  called 
you  into  his  kingdom  of  peace,  (Isa,'9;  Heb,  7,)  through  the  word  of 
his  peace  may  escape  the  snares  of  the  devil,  and  that  you  may  so 
conduct  yourselves  in^your  ways  after  Christ's  will  and  pleasure, 
towards  all  men,  and  observe  his  holy  word  and  ordinance  and  de- 
fend it ;  that  you  may  promote  that  true  righteousness  required  of 
God,  such  as  faith,  love,  repentance,  regeneration,  piety  and  peace 
with  all  other  fruits  of  the  Holy  Ghost ;  gladden  the  hearts  of  all  the 
sorrowful  of  heart  and  the  young  and  tender  in  Christ  Jesus,  and 
Qonsple  and  encourage  them  in  all  their  trials,  need,  temptations, 
tribulation  and  fear,  so  that  the  most  holy  city  may  again  be  rebuilt, 
which  lay  desolated  for  so  many  centuries,  and  restore  all  its 
usi^es,  ordinances  and  services  to  primitive  order.  Yea,  that  the 
saving  light  of  the  true  gospel  of  Christ  may  be  spread  among  all 
nations,  kindred  and  tongues,  in  its  full  splendor,  and  that  the  ac- 
cursed, lying  and  anti-Christian  darkness  maybe  dispelled, 

Then  observe  that  the  Lord's  powerful  word  is  more  and  more 


S73  PRE FACE. 

miraculously  breaking  forth  and  that,  therefore,  all  true  hearts 
would  gladly  see  and  have  unanimity  in  this  part  of  the  BAN 
(whereby  they  are  sometimes  so  greatly  troubled  and  perplexed,  as 
related,)  that  they  might  all  orderly  proceed  observing  one  rule,  ac- 
cording to  the  scriptures  as  it  becomes  Christians ;  and  I,  an  un- 
worthy person,  the  weakest  of  all  the  saints,  have  been  tried  severe- 
ly in  this  part  by  many  diflerent  spirits  for  twenty-two  years,  and 
endured  many  an  attack,  whereby  others  are  not  only  taught  of  me, 
but  I  am  also  taught  of  others,  (the  giver  of  all  good  gifts  be  praised 
for  all  this.)  And  also  after  some  considerable  time  through  many 
adventitious  circumstances,  examining  into  and  reflecting  upon 
some  of  the  things  connected  with  this,  I  was  through  experience, 
induced  to  yield  to  the  solicitations  andprayersof  the  brethren  who 
were  desirous  of  seeing  good  in  all  respects,  that  before  the  close  of 
my  life,  I  would  examine  and  revise  the  Ground  and  meaning  of  the 
true  apostolic  Ban  or  Separation,  arrange  it  formally  and  present  it 
for  examination  to  the  elders  and  ministers  of  the  community,  to 
all  desiring  peace,  so  that  if  any  one,  after  my  departure,  (as  I  am 
now  an  old  feeble  man)  might  cause  any  trouble,  strife  ordissention 
among  the  quiet  and  peaceable,  under  pretence  that  he  heard  this 
or  that  from  me  at  any  time,  or  might  infer  wrong  views  from  some 
of  my  writings  which  have  not  as  yet  been  so  fully  explained  bj-me 
concerning  man  and  wife,  and  of  open,  ofl^ensive  sensual  sinners,  (as 
it  is  done  here,)  in  order  that  the  brethren  may  refer  them  to  my 
coticlusive  ground,  after  I  shall  have  fallen  asleep  in  God,  and  made 
my  exit  hence.  Besides,  that  the  pious  doubtful  conscience  may 
thereby  be  relieved,  bo  that  they  may  attain  an  assurance  of  con- 
fidence in  their  minds— which  I  have  undertaken  with  great  difla* 
dence  (although  it  was  quite  Christian  like  and  good  before)  and  did 
it  especially,  because  I  knew  that  they  were  not  a)l  brethren  and 
sisters  in  truth  and  power  who  should  read,  hear  or  see  this.  And 
where  the  mind  is  not  pure,  and  love  is  not  genuine,  there  the  un- 
derstanding is  generally  partial  and  the  construction  perverse;  this 
I  have  learned  to  be  the  case  myself  of  some  towards  me.  Ah !  that 
some  of  them  would  obtain  grace.  Besides,  I  know,  that  the  opinions, 
judgments,  affections  and  minds  are  different ;  and  that  the  all-pre- 
vailing truth  and  the  fear,  spirit  and  unction  of  the  Lord,  are  not 
possessed  by  every  one  in  their  fulness ;  therefore,  I  fear  that  all  will 
not  receive  and  follow  this  doctrine  as  the  True  Ground  of  Truth. 
O  that  we  all  had  Uie  eyes  of  the  understanding,  those  of  us  who 
think  we  see,  it  would,  according  to  my  opinion,  soon  gain  a  strong 
hold  with  some. 

I  have  full  confidence  in  those,  who  in  the  true  fear  of  God  seek 
union  and  peace  with  sincerity  among  all  the  pious,  and  are  anxious 
for  the  truth ;  they  will  receive  my  brotherly  work,  to  promote  holy 
I)eace,  and  to  explain  eternal  truth,  with  Christian  fidelity ;  they 
will  not  despise  it,  but  gladly  receive  it,  and  thank  the  Lord  for  his 
grace  ;  for  it  appears  to  me,  almost  impossible  to  hit  upon  a  surer 
and  more  certain  way  according  to  truth,  in  which  we  may  staiid, 
before  God  and  man,  than  that  which  I  have  impartially.and  accord- 
ing to  my  limited  talents,  pointed  out  and  explained  as  before  God 
in  Christ  Jesus,  and  which  is  according  to  the  sacred  scriptures. 

I  do  not  ^rve  the  stiff-necked,  haughty  and  perverse  scorners, 


PKEFACK.  373 

neither  immovable  bigots  and  wranglers,  but  those  I  serve,  who  are 
of  an  impartial,  new  Christian  mind,  who  suffer  themselves  to  be 
instructed,  and  are  under  the  guidance  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  live 
in  the  fear  of  God  and  in  pure  love,  who  have  received  the  Lord's 
holy  word  and  truth  in  a  pure  mind,  follow  it  through  the  received 
uncticm  impllcity,  and  are  free  from  all  bitter  party  spirit,  vain 
horror,  hatred  and  envy ;  for  with  such  we  find  the  amiable  spirit 
of  peace,  sincere  and  pious  disposition,  an  unleavened,  pure  heart 
and  conversation,  and,  therefore,  also  an  upright  and  pure  under- 
standing, p,nd  an  incorrupt,  saving  ground  and  exposition,  and  they 
live  no  more  with  their  selfish  flesh,  but  unto  Christ  and  their 
neighbors,  resist  none,  are  humble,  ai'e  opposed  to  all  unscriptural 
contention  and  strife,  readily  acknowledge  their  short  comings 
wherein  they  have  erred :  reconcile  their  neighbors  whom  they  had 
grieved,  regarding  neither  honor  or  dishonor ;  heap  fiery  coals  upon 
the  heads  of  their  adversaries  ;  walk  unblamably,  in  order  that  they 
may  awaken  them  again  unto  truth  with  love,  lead  them  from  the 
way  of  error,  bring  them  unto  Christ,  and  save  them  eternally.  Be- 
hold these  are  they,  I  say,  whom  I  serve  with  my  writings ;  for  they 
have  Christ  in  power  with  his  spirit,  word  and  love,  and  thus  with 
him,  and  in  him  they  have  True  Christianitt,  which  will  stand 
before  God— which  is  a  useful,  cheering  peaceable  and  joyful  thing. 
Ah,  children, be  admonished;  learn  rightly  to  know  the  subtlety 
of  the  devil,  and  beware  of  discord.  May  themercitul  Father  graul 
us  all  the  wisdom  of  Christ,  Amen. 


EXPLANATION  OF  THE  TRUE  APOSTOLIC 
SEPARATION  OR  EXCOMMUNICATION. 

1.   What  is  meant  by  Separation  or  Excommunicaiionf 

Cordially,  faithful  children  of  the  Lord,  whom  I  love  in 
truth.  Since  I  have,  but  of  paternal  fidelity,  undertaken  this 
very  critical  task,  for  the  benefit  of  you  all,  and  the  pious  gen- 
erally, (I  say  a  critical  task,  for  I  am  well  aware  that  it  causes 
much  grief  among  the  simple  for  some  time;  and  I  fear  that  all 
is  not  over  yet,)  I  therefore  entreat  you  all  in  general,  both  the 
afflicted  and  unafflicted,  by  the  bloody  wounds  of  Jesus,  all  of 
you,  who  with  me  bow  your  knees  before  the  almighty,  great 
God,  I  exhort  you  by  the  righteous  judgment,  which  he  will  hold 
at  his  future  coming  in  the  clouds  of  heaven,  in  flaming  fire 
with  his  mighty  angels,  that  you  would  be  pleased  to  judge  this 
my  work  impartially,  and  with  a  pure  heart  of  peace — read  arti- 
cle after  article,  nay,  every  word,  with  sincere  Christian  discre- 
tion, in  true  love,  according  to  the  rule  and  ground  of  truth; 
and,  in  the  first  place,  well  observe  what  Excommunication  of 
the  church  of  Christ  is  in  power,  which  was  left  and  taught  us 
by  the  Lord's  holy  apostles,  "  so  that  you  despise  none  ignor- 
antly,  nor  say  with  scorners:  Let  them  freely  excommunicate, 
their  excommunication  is  not  dangerous :' '  and  similar  unguarded 
expressions.  I  tell  the  truth  in  Christ,  and  lie  not,  that  I  would 
sooner  sufier  myself  to  be  cut  into  pieces,  till  the  day  of  judg- 
ment, if  it  were  possible,  than  to  suffer  myself  to  be  excom- 
municated, according  to  the  scriptures,  by  the  servants  of  the 
Lord,  and  from  his  community.     Brethren,  beware  ! 

All  that  was  cursed  in  Israel  according  to  the  ordinances  of 
the  law,  whether  man  or  beast,  had  to  die,  and  the  accursed 
goods  had  to  be  burnt  with  fire.  (Num.  21;  Dent.  7,  13;  Jos.  6, 
7,  8,  19;  1  Sam.  15.)  This  was  a  dreadful  and  severe  curse, 
(anathema.)  But  in  Christ's  kingdom  and  government,  (if  we 
rightly  view  it  in  its  true  character,  if  repentance  follow  not, ) 
it  is  still  more  dreadful;  it  is  not  now  a  bodily  extermination 
or  the  death  of  our  flesh,  as  Moses'  curse  (anathema,  or  excom- 
munication,) was,  nor  is  it  an  exclusion  from  a  temple  or  syna- 
gogue, even  as  is  the  excommunication  of  the  Jews  or  of  the 
world;  but  it  is  a  true  declaration  of  the  eternal  death  of  the 
soul,  made  through  the  sincere  sej-vants  of  Christ,  against  all 
offending,  sensual  sinners,  (1  Cor.  5;  2  Cor.  13,)  and  stubborn 
wranglers,  (Rom.  16;  Tim.  3,^  a  delivering  over  to  satan,  (1 


S76  EXCOMMUKICATIOls. 

Cor.  5;  1  Tim.  1,)  yea,  a  common  renouncing,  excommunicating 
or  separating  from  the  community,  churcli,  body  and  kingdom 
of  Christ,  and  that  in  the  name  of  Christ,  with  the  binding 
efficacy  of  his  Holy  Ghost  and  powerful  word.     (1  Cor.  5.) 

Since,  then,  this  is  such  a  dreadful  and  severe  Anathema,  as 
related,  then  may  every  one  see  well  to  it,  that  he  walk  and 
conduct  himself  so  before  God  and  his  chnrch,  as  not  to  be 
eternally  smitten  with  such  a  curse,  either  of  Christ  or  his  com- 
munity, that  he  must  be  such  an  excommunicant  out  of  the  holy 
community,  body,  city,  temjjle,  church,  kingdom  and  house  of 
Christ.  For  all  who  are  out  of  Christ's  community  and  church, 
must  be  in  Antichrist's;  this  is  incontrovertible.  And  what  the 
award  of  such  will  be,  if  they  will  not  rej^ent,  may  be  plainly 
read  in  Rom.  1,  6;  1  Cor.  6;  Gal.  5;  Eph.  5;  1  Thes.  1;  Rev. 
21,  23.  Ah  !  children,  beware — be  careful  with  all  your  powers; 
Avatch  assiduously;  pray  fervently  and  be  prepared;  for  God's 
judgments  are  terrible.  It  is  a  fearful  thing  to  fall  into  the 
hands  of  the  living  God.     (Heb.  10.) 

II.  Ov&r  whom  this  Apostolic  ExGomumaicatioR  is  to  be  used. 

We  find  in  many  places  of  the  holy  scriptures,  that  the  truly 
believing  community  is  the  spiritual  body,  bride,  camp,  city  and 
temple  of  Jesus  Christ,  our  only  spiritual  head,  bridegroom, 
king  and  high  priest,  prefigured  by  the  literal  Eve,  Rebecca, 
and  the  camp,  city  and  temple  of  Israel.  (Eph.  1,  5;  Rev.  19; 
Heb.  12;  1  Cor.  1,  6;  2  Cor.  6.)  In  the  political  dominion  of 
Israel  no  leper,  none  that  had  an  issue  nor  those  who  were 
defiled  by  the  dead,  were  suftered  to  come  into  camp  as  long  as 
they  were  not  healed  and  purified  according  to  the  law,  (Num. 
5,)  none  were  allowed  to  ease  themselves  within  the  camp, 
(Deut.  23,)  neither  an  uncircumcised,  nor  an  unclean  person, 
was  allowed  to  eat  of  the  passover,  (Exod.  12;  Num.  9,)  all 
those  (here  observe  well  Israel's  Ban)  had  to  die  without  mercy, 
on  the  testimony  of  two  or  three  witnesses,  who  despised  the 
word  of  the  Lord  and  set  aside  his  commandments,  (Num.  15,) 
those  who  were  guilty  of  abomination  in  Israel,  and  served 
strange  gods.  (Deut.  13,  17;  Heb.  10.)  For,  says  Moses,  they 
were  to  be  a  holy  people  to  the  Lord.  (Exod.  19.) 

And  thus  it  is  in  the  Christian  dispensation;  for  his  commu- 
nity is  a  communion  of  saints,  or  an  assembly  of  the  righteous, 
even  as  the  Nicean  fathers  some  centuries  ago  did  confess  with 
us;  and,  as  Adam  had  but  one  Eve,  who  was  flesh  of  his  tlesh  and 
bone  of  his  bone,  (Gen.  2,)  Isaac  had  one  Rebecca,  who  was 
of  his  own  family,  (Gen.  24,)  and  Christ  had  one  body,  which 
was  heavenly  and  from  heaven,  and  was  perfect  and  holy  in  all 
its  members,  (1  Cor.  15;  J  thus  has  he  also,  spiritually,  but  one 


EXCOMMUNICATION.  377 

new  Rebecca,  who  is  his  spiritual  body,  spouse,  community, 
church  and  bride,  namely,  the  believers,  regenerated,  meek, 
merciful,  dead  to  sin,  peaceable,  amiable  and  obedient  children 
in  his  kingdom  or  house  of  peace;  pure,  chaste  virgins  in  the 
spirit,  holy  souls,  who  are  of  his  divine  family,  flesh  of  his  flesh 
and  bone  of  his  bone.   (Eph.  5.) 

From  which,  according  to  the  doctrine  of  the  holy  apostles, 
it  is  evident  that  the  obstinate  disturber  or  sectary  who  causes, 
contrary  to  the  doctrine  of  godliness,  oflence  and  discord,  (Rom. 
16;  1  Tim.  6;  2  Tim.  2;  Tit.  3,)  and  those  who  do  not  abide  in 
the  doctrine  of  Christ,  (2  John  1,)  who  lead  an  offensive  life, 
(1  Cor.  5;  2  Cor.  13,)  or  the  over-curious,  inquisitive  and  lazy, 
who  live  at  the  expense  of  others,  (2  Thess.  3,)  shall  not  be 
suffered  in  Christ's  holy  house,  camp,  city,  temple,  church  and 
body,  which  is  the  community;  but  they,  with  one  accord,  are 
excluded,  and  according  to  scriptures,  we  are  to  avoid  and  shun 
them,  to  save  our  own  souls;  and  to  the  reformation -of  their 
own.  Faithful  children,  be  you  warned:  terrible  is  the  word 
which  John  utters  :  Whosoever  transgresseth,  and  abideth 
not  in  the  doctrine  of  Christ,  hath  not  God.  (2  John  1.)  And 
in  another  place:  He  that  committeth  sin,  is  of  the  devil.  (1 
John  3.) 

III.  The  reason  wliy  this  Excomniunication  is  commanded  in 
the  scriptures. 

John  teaches  and  says:  That  God  is  love.  (1  John  4.)  Since, 
then,  as  God  is  love,  so  does  he  also  manifest  the  nature,  of 
that  of  what  he  is,  namely,  love.  That  this  is  the  truth,  may 
be  readily  perceived  from  the  creation  and  preservation  of  all 
his  creatures,  the  restoration  of  Adam  and  Eve,  the  preserva- 
tion of  Noah  and  his  sons  from  the  flood  with  an  ark;  in  bless- 
ing Abraham,  Isaac  and  Jacob;  in  ransoming  Israel  from  Egypt; 
in  sending  Moses  and  the  prophets;  (Gen.  1,  3,  6,  7,  8,  12,  26, 
28;  Exod.  3.  14;  Zach.  7;  2  Esd.  1,)  and  more  especially  in 
the  holy  incarnation  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  Son  of  God, 
in  his  gracious,  efficacious  doctrine,  miracles,  prayers,  weeping, 
cross,  blood  and  death;  also,  in  the  effusion  of  his  holy  (^host 
and  sending  forth  of  his  holy  apostles.  (John  3;  Rom.  8.) 

Since,  then,  it  is  evident  that  God  is  love,  and  will  be,  eter- 
nally, and  in  the  beginning  manifested  the  glorious  fruit  of  love 
towards  his  children,  and  thus  does  he  likewise  by  this  his 
exclusion  or  separation^  although  it  is  terrible  and  severe,  and 
that  it  has  such  a  terrible  consequence  with  the  stubborn  and 
unconverted  sinner,  as  heard.  For,  since  he  is  the  wise  and 
omniscient  God,  who  with  his  flaming  eyes  sees  into  the  inmost 
recesses  of  the  hearts  and  reins  of  men,  judges  their  ways,  and 


378  ExooMMU^'[cATIO^'. 

knows  us  best,  who  are  his  feeble  creatures  and  workmanship, 
what  weak  vessels  we  are;  yea,  that  some  of  us  can  scarce  with- 
stand a  gentle  breeze  of  deception;  but  suffer  ourselves  to  be 
led  away  immediately,  or  we  are  soon  polluted  with  the  per- 
nicious, abominable  life;  for  that  reason  he  has,  through  his 
paternal  love  and  great  mercy,  given  us,  his  poor,  weak  child- 
ren, this  means  of  separation,  approved  it  by  the  Holy  Ghost 
and  word  in  the  beginning,  and  commanded  it  to  that  end,  that 
we  should  exclude  the  restless,  stubborn  wranglers  and  schis- 
niatists,  together  with  the  offensive,  sensual  and  lewd,  from  his 
holy  community,  church  and  house  of  peace,  and,  according  to 
the  scriptures,  avoid  and  shun  them  till  they  repent,  in  order 
that  they  shake  us  not  in  the  confident  hope  we  have  in  the 
truth  of  Christ,  with  their  fair  words;  for  their  false  doctrine 
cats  as  a  canker,  Paul  says,  (2  Tim.  2, )  nor  that  the  abomina- 
ble with  their  impure,  sensual  life  perv^ert  us,  nor  make  us  a 
bad  name  among  those  without,  (1  Cor.  5,)  and  behold,  this  is 
the  first  reason  why  the  spirit  of  the  Lord  so  earnestly  com- 
manded and  taught  Excommunication  in  his  holy  word. 
Whether  this  reason  is  not  a  special  work  of  the  love  of  Christ, 
wliicli  is  of  great  usefulness,  service,  power  and  fruit  to  all  the 
pious,  I  will  let  all  the  faithful  reflect  upon  in  the  fear  of  God. 

The  other  reason  is,  that  all  those  who  again  forsake  the  holy 
word  and  true  way  and  go  astray  in  the  world,  despise  the  holy 
covenant,  make  void  their  received  baptism  and  the  promise  of 
righteousness,  again  hear  the  false  prophets,  love  the  world, 
walk  the  broad  way  of  the  flesh,  or  cause  contention  schisms 
and  sects  and  perverse  things  among  the  pious,  &c.  They  are 
deterred  by  means  of  this  Excommunication,  and  brought  to  re- 
pentance, seek  union  and  peace,  and  thus  be  set  free  before  the 
Lord  and  his  community  from  the  satanic  snares  of  their  strife, 
or  from  their  ungodly  life.  (\  Cor,  5.)  Behold,  this  is  the  other 
reason  why  the  spirit  of  the  Lord  so  earnestly  recommended 
and  taught  excommunication  in  his  holy  word.  And  whether 
this  reason  is  not  a  special  work  of  his  love  and  of  like  power, 
usefulness,  service  and  fruit  to  the  impious,  if  they  will  by 
any  means  observe  it  in  fear,  as  the  first  is  to  the  pious:  upon 
this  all  the  faithful  may  reflect  in  the  fear  of  God.  Yea,  w^ho 
ever  can  rightly  know  and  see  the  aforementioned  reasons^,  ac- 
cording to  the  scriptures,  has  already  found  the  true  ground  of 
the  holy  excommunication,  according  to  my  opinion. 

Since  we  know,  then,  that  this  our  excommunication  and 
separation  are  commanded  us  in  the  scriptures,  for  two  such 
highly  important  reasons,  as  related,  hence  we  have  reason 
enough,  if  we  rightly  boast  of  the  Christian  name,  regularly  to 
teach  the  evident  and  direct  command,  doctrine  and  ordinance 
of  the  Lord  and  his  holy  apostles,  (Matt,  18;  1  Cor.  5;  Tit.  3,) 


EXCOMMUNICATION'.  .  3(9 

as  a  highly  useful  and  good  work  of  great  love ;  and  obediently 
to  follow  it;  and  besides,  it  is  also  more  than  evident,  that  those 
sin  heinously  against  the  word  of  the  holy  apostles,  and  their 
great  love,  and  the  fidelity  and  love  of  the  community,  and 
especially  against  their  own  soul,  who  call  this  useful,  divine 
ordinance,  in  the  perverseness  of  their  sinful  flesh,  a  conten- 
tious work  of  the  devil,  and  thus  trample  it  so  shamefully  under 
the  unhallowed  feet  of  their  impious  calamity,  into  the  mire — 
haughty  is  that  man  who  would  rebuke  his  God,  or  gainsay 
and  censure  his  word.  Reflect  upon  that  in  which  we  have 
instructed  you. 

IV.  The  true  Apostolic  Excommunieation  has  no  respect  to 
persons. 

Undoubtedly,  it  is  well  known  to  us  all,  dear  brethren,  that 
it  is  so  strongly  and  earnestly  "commanded  in  the  scriptures, 
nay,  it  is  one  of  the  chief  commands;  that  we  are  to  honor  father 
and  mother,  and  that  all  had  to  die  according  to  the  law  of 
Moses,  who  cursed  and  disobeyed  them.  (Matt.  15;  Mark  7; 
Eph.  6:  Col.  8;  Exod.  30;  Deut.  5,  21;  Lev.  20.)  And  also,  that 
the  bond  of  undefiled  matrimony  is  so  unchangeably  bound  in 
the  kingdom  and  government  of  Christ,  that  neither  a  man  nor 
woman  can  forsake  one  the  other,  and  take  another,  (under- 
stand rightly  what  Christ  says,)  except  for  fornication's  sake. 
(Matt.  19;  Luke  16.)  And  Paul  also  holds  the  same  doctrine, 
that  they  shall  be  bound  to  each  other,  and  that  they  are  to 
live  in  union;  that  the  man  has  not  power  over  his  own  body, 
nor  the  woman  over  hers.     (1  Cor.  7.) 

Both  these  niles,  the  first  in  relation  to  parents,  and  the 
second  in  relation  to  wedlock,  stand  fast  aiid  unbroken,  and 
can  never  be  altered  or  infringed  by  any  man,  so  far  as  we  can, 
in  God  and  with  God,  in  a  good  conscience,  obsei-ve  and  keep 
them,  as  the  aforementioned  rules  require,  without  trans- 
gressing the  holy  word  ;  but  if  this  cannot  be  done  thus, 
the  spiritual  must  not,  in  that  case,  yield  to  the  carnal,  but 
the  carnal  must  yield  to  the  spiritual — this  is  incontrovertibly 
true. 

I,  therefore,  entreat  all  the  pious,  for  the  Lord's -sake  who, 
with  us,  are  sanctified  to  Christ  Jesus,  through  the  Spirit  of 
peace,  that  they  may,  with  God-fearing,  understanding  hearts, 
view  impartially,  with  spiritual  eyes,  the  Six  following  Reasons, 
which  urgently  engage  our  minds,  that  we  would  gladly  teach 
this  Ground  to  all  our  fellow-believers,  whose  lot  it  might  be, 
or  whom  it  might  concern  (may  the  Lord  ever  preserve  them 
from  it)  to  teach  it  with  Christian  deliberation,  and  to  the 
saving  of  their  souls,  without  giving  offence  to  the  young  and 


380  EXCOMMUNICATION. 

■A 

tender  minds,  and  propound  it  in  true  love.   All  who  fear  God, 
I  will  let  judge  what  we  teach. 

The  First  Reason  is,  that  we  do  truly  know  through  God's 
Spirit  and  word,  that  the  heavenly  espousal  between  Christ  and 
our  souls,  is  made  through  his  innocent  death  and  precious  blood 
by  faith,  (Hos.  2;  Rev.  19,)  and  must  be  voluntarily  kept  up 
unbroken,  in  obedience  to  the  only  and  eternal  bridegroom,  and 
that,  therefrom,  a  man  shall  not,  neither  for  the  sake  of  father, 
mother,  son,  daughter,  husband  nor  wife,  in  life  or  death,  be 
disobedient  to  his  word,  in  the  smallest  matter,  or  yield  any  the 
least;  for  God,  the  Lord  will,  shall  and  must  alone  be  the  God 
of  our  conscience,  and  be  the  only  Lord  of  our  souls;  and  not 
our  father,  mother,  husband  or  wife,  as  we  may  plainly  see  from 
Deut.  13,  33;  Matt.  10;  Luke  14. 

The  Second  Beason  is,  that  the  faithful  apostles,  John  and 
Paul,  teach  us  so;  that  in  the  first  place,  we  are  to  avoid  the 
apostates,  lest  they  contaminate  us  with  the  impure,  deceiving 
doctrine,  and  with  ungodly,  sensual  lives;  nor  that  we  partake 
with  them  of  their  unfruitful  works,  (1  Cor.  5;  2  John  1,)  and 
for  the  reasons  above  assigned;  and  since  we  plainly  see,  that 
none  can  sooner  contaminate  and  pollute  us,  than  our  own 
fathers,  mothers,  husband,  wife  or  children,  if  they  are  cor- 
rupted, and  especially  on  account  of  the  daily  intercourse  with 
and  love  for  them,  which  is  existing  among  them ;  and  more- 
over, since  man  and  wife  are  one  flesh,  I  scarce  know,  if  they, 
in  this  respect,  do  not  especially  observe  the  Lord's  holy  word 
and  counsel,  how  they  will  escape  the  snares  of  death;'  for  now 
they  pray  and  sigh,  and  anon  they  rage  and  quarrel.  Now 
they  slander  and  defame,  then  they  weep  and  lament.  Ah ! 
children,  take  warning.  Their  tears  are  crocodile's  tears,  and 
their  tongues  are  set  on  fu"e  from  hell,  as  James  says.  I  forbear 
to  mention  in  detail,  that  some  of  them  run  after  false  prophets, 
revile  Christ's  holy  word,  sacraments  and  ordinances;  and 
highly  recommend  Antichrist's  abominations,  and  besides,  the 
conduct  of  some  of  them  is  nothing  but  sheer  avarice,  pride, 
wantonness,  eating  and  drinking  to  excess,  &c.,  and  how  scan- 
dalously some  of  them  live  with  their  poor  women;  especially 
when  they  are  intoxicated.  I  let  the  Lord  judge.  (James  3. ) 
And  that  3,ny  one  could  live  in  the  midst  of  such  wanton,  sen- 
sual, ungodly  abominations,  and  not  be  hurt  in  his  faith,  love 
and  unction,  and  have  intercourse  with  such  abominably 
unclean,  adhesive  pitch  vessels,  and  not  be  polluted  in  his 
conscience,  I  will  let  all,  with  the  unction  of  their  spirit, 
reflect,  who  have  an  understanding  of  the  holy  word. 

The  Third  Reason  is,  because  Paul  teaches  us  that  we  are 
also  to  avoid  the  apostate,  that  they  should  thereby  be  brought 
to  reflect,  and  thus  be  led  to  repent  of  their  wicked  life,  or  of 


EXCOMMUNICATION.  381 

their  schismatic  doctrine.  Seeing  we  know  this,  that  it  is  the 
Ground  and  Intention  of  the  Holy  Ghost  with  Excommunica- 
tion, as  related:  then  it  is  also  proper,  and  according  to  the 
scriptures,  that  we,  in  this  matter,  implicitly  follow  his  divine 
counsel,  love,  doctrine,  good  will  and  earnest  commands,  and 
obediently  follow  him  and  observe  it,  in  true  love,  towards  our 
most  beloved  father,  mother,  husband,  wife  and  children,  rather 
than  towards  others,  because,  I  say,  they  are  our  dearest  friends; 
yea,  our  own  flesh  and  bone,  and  we  cannot  by  any  other  salu- 
tary means,  lead  them  off  from  evil,  and  again  lead  them  on  the 
way  of  the  saints.     Reflect  upon  what  we  teach  you. 

The  Fourth  Reason  is,  because  we  certainly  know  that  there 
is  but  one  Exclusion  or  Excommunication  in  the  scriptures, 
which  does  not  only  extend  to  the  spiritual  communion,  such  as 
to  the  Lord's  supper,  hand  and  kiss  of  peace  ;  but  it  extends 
also  to  the  bodily  communion,  such  as  eating,  drinking,  daily 
actions. and  conduct,  (1  Cor.  5,)  and  that  if  the  father  is  to  avoid 
the  son,  or  the  son  the  father,  the  husband  his  wife,  or  the  wife 
the  husband,  only  in  the  spiritual  communion,  and  not  in  civil 
community,  in  that  event  there  would  be  two  kinds  of  Excom- 
munication in  the  scriptures ;  the  one  would  only  extend  to 
the  spiritual  communion,  and  the  other,  both  to  the  spiritual 
and  civil  communions;  this  is  clear  as  daylight.  Again,  reflect 
upon  what  we  teach  you. 

The  Fifth  Reason  is,  because  pious  parents,  as  well  as  the 
community,  consent  and  approve  of  the  Excommunication  of 
the  apostate  children;  and  the  pious  children  consent  that  the 
apostate  parents  should  be  excommunicated  ;  and  the  hus- 
band consents  that  the  apostate  wife  should  excommunicated, 
and  the  pious  wife  that  the  apostate  husband  be  excommuni- 
cated, and  that  they  be  severally  dealt  with  according  to  the 
scriptures;  and  if  they  would  then  afterwards  avoid  them  only 
in  the  spiritual  community,  they  would  make  void  their  own 
sentence,  which  they  in  common  with  the  church  pronounced, 
and  thus  they  would  not  seek  the  salvation  of  their  dearest 
friends  with  that  spiritual  love  and  zeal  as  the  Lord's  word  and 
spirit  command  them,  and  still  be  in  great  danger  of  perdition. 
In  order,  unmolestedly  to  escape  it,  their  excommunication  has 
been  commanded,  taught  and  left  on  record  in  the  word  of  the 
Lord,  to  every  man,  woman  and  child,  without  exception. 
Again,  I  say,  reflect  upon  what  we  teach  you. 

The  Sixth  Reason  is,  because  I  know  no  less  than  three  hun- 
dred married  persons  in  my  time  who  did  not  observe  the  or- 
dinance, counsel,  doctrine,  will  and  command  of  the  Lord  and 
his  apostles  concerning  avoiding,  and  thus  run  together  into 
perdition.  Ah  !  Lord,  we  stand  in  deliberation  and  dismay, 
that  not  a  similar  evil  has  befallen  us  on  account  of  our  silence; 


882  EXCOMMUNICATION. 

we  would  therefore,  gladly,  hereafter,  observe  it,  siuce  the  caie 
of  the  community  is  entrusted  to  us,  that  we  might  the  better 
prevent,  according  to  the  apostolic  doctrine  and  counsel, 
all  corruption  and  apostacy,  and  freely,  purely  and  fully 
teach  and  maintain  the  regulation  of  Excommunication,  as 
well  between  i)arents  and  children,  man  and  wife,  as  among 
others — to  all  our  brethren,  (if  circumstances  require  it,)  in 
order  that  we,  in  the  first  place,  clear  our  own  souls,  and  thus 
stand  acquitted  before  God  and  his  saints  in  the  great  day  of 
Christ;  and  secondly:  So  that  none  can  excuse  himself  and  say, 
•'It  was  never  told  to  me.'' 

Behold,  brethren  in  the  Lord,  these  are  the  important  articles 
and  principal  reasons  which  urge  us  most  that  we  willingly 
teach  this  ground,  and  put  it  into  practice.  Is  there  now  a 
single  individual  under  the  canopy  of  heaven,  learned  or  un- 
learned, young  [or  old,  -without  or  among  us,  man  or  woman, 
who  can  teach  us  the  truth,  that  the  espousals  of  the  spirit 
made  with  Christ  through  faith,  should  yield  to  human  wed- 
lock ? 

Or  that  a  man  cannot  dieceive  or  corrupt  his  wife,  or  a  wo- 
man her  husband?  Or  that  a  pious  man  is  not  bound  accord- 
ing to  the  scriptures,  to  promote  the  salvation  of  his  uncon- 
verted wife,  or  the  woman  of  her  unconverted  husband  ?  Or 
that  there  are  two  Excommunications  in  the  scriptures;  that 
the  one  only  extends  to  the  spiritual  community,  and  the  other 
both  to  the  spiritual  and  temporal.  Or  that  the  pious  hus- 
band dare  not  vote  with  the  communion  against  his  unconvert- 
ed wife,  or  the  wife  against  the  husband,  in  excluding  her.  Or 
that  there  is  an  exception  in  the  whole  scriptures  of  man  or 
wife,  parents  or  children,  in  this  respect.  Or  that  spiritual  love 
has  to  yield  to  conjugal  love,  &c.  If  so,  then  we  desire  with  all 
the  heart  to  abandon  this  our  ground,  and  acknowledge  our  error, 
and  with  great  zeal  teach  the  contrary  before  the  whole  world, 
as  is  christian  and  right;  for  we  regard  neither  slander,  nor 
praise,  honor,  nor  disgrace ;  but  we  have  only  regard  for  the 
honor  of  God  and  Christ,  and  the  eternal  salvation  of  your 
souls;  on  account  of  which  we  are  esteemed  as  detestable — 
such  offscourings,  filth  and  offence  to  many,  as  may  be  seen. 

But  if  this  cannot  be  done,  (as  it  never  can  be  done)  then  in 
the  first  place,  my  cordial  prayer  and  fraternal  admonition  are 
to  all  who  might  have  erroneous  views  of  this  matter,  that  they 
would  not  improperly  meddle  through  impure  and  perverted 
minds,  by  slandering  the  chief  stone  and  the  builders;  nor  that 
they  would  persuade  any  to  disobey  the  word,  or  keep  them  in 
the  dangers  of  apostacy  and  perdition,  lest  they  make  them- 
selves guilty  of  other  men's  sins;  but  that  they  would  give  the 
Lord's  good  will  and   ordinance    due  praise  in  this  respect, 


EXCOMMUNICATION.  383 

l)liick  out  tlio  oilending  eye  of  their  misunderstanding,  and 
pass  a  sound  judgment  according  to  truth,  avert  sin  from  the 
community,  and  thus  observe  the  Lord's  incontrovertibly  clear 
word,  counsel  and  command,  with  all  the  pious,  and  assist  with 
all  deliberation  to  maintain  it. 

Secondly:  I  entreat  all  who  might  have  any  concern  for  the 
irrational  slanders,  that  they  would  view  the  matter  impartially 
in  a  divine  light,  that  not  only  Excommunication  is  hated,  but 
also  all  the  doings  of  Christ,  such  as  the  true  evangelical  bap- 
tism. Lord's  supper,  life  and  the  whole  divine  service,  &c.  All 
this  is  hated  by  tiie  Avhole  world,  and  considered  as  abomination, 
scandal  and  disgrace,  so  that  they,  out  of  pure  hatred  to  the 
truth,  are  not  ashamed  to  call  all  the  pious  by  such  names  as 
accursed  heretics,  anabaptists,  ringleaders,  whores  and  rogues; 
and  in  many  j>laces  deprive  them  of  possessions  and  life,  as 
may  be  seen;  although  the  pious  are  so  much  honored  of  God, 
that  he  acknowledges  and  adopts  them  as  his  chosen  children, 
as  his  sons  and  daughters,  as  the  apple  of  his  eye,  as  his  bride 
and  spouse;  and  endows  them  with  the  gift  of  eternal  life. 
(Eph.  1;  Heb.  2;  2  Cor.  6;  Zach.  2;  Matt.  5;  Luke  6;  2  Tim.  2; 
Rev.  19.)  For  there  is  nothing  that  they  love  more  than  their 
God,  as  they  fully  testify  and  make  known  by  their  actions  to 
the  whole  world.  And  thus  it  is  in  this  matter.  For  how  can 
there  be  a  greater  love  for  God,  and  how  can  there  be  found  a 
more  praise-worthy  confession,  than  where  one  is  willing  and 
ready,  not  only  to  give  up  his  temporal  goods,  ease,  honor  and 
happiness;  but  also  avoid  their  dearest  friends  upon  earth,  out 
of  sincere  regard  to  Christ,  in  obedience  to  his  eternal  and  holy 
truth?  No  abominable  vice  nor  disgrace  does  become  God's 
pure  knowledge  together  with  the  unfeigned  obedience  of  his 
most  holy  word. 

Thirdly:  I  entreat  all  dear  brethren  in  general,  that  they 
would  always  think  with  wise  and  sober  minds,  to  what  end 
they  bent  their  shoulders  under  the  pleasing  yoke  of  the  living 
and  almighty  God,  so  that  they  may  act  and  walk  in  a  becoming- 
manner,  in  the  most  holy  covenant  of  grace,  before  Him  and 
all  mankind,  and  live  and  walk  with  their  consorts  in  such 
piety,  love,  union  and  peace,  with  such  fideUty  and  care,  observe 
that  hereafter  in  eternity  we  have  not  to  hear  of  Excommuni- 
cation or  Exclusion;  but  of  sincere  Christian  piety,  delight  and 
divine  joy.     Reflect  upon  these  things  which  we  teach  you. 

Fourthly:  I  entreat  all,  if  they  should  at  anytime  feel  them- 
selves aggrieved  by  this  part  of  our  doctrine,  that  they  would 
thus  wisely  examine  this  matter  in  the  pure  fear  of  God,  that 
they  do  not  seek  the  solicitous  selfish,  lazy  and  idle  flesh  above 
Christ,  nor  cover  it  with  fig-leaves,  lest  the  wrath  of  the  Lord 
who  hates  all  lies,  hypocrisy  and  subtle  roguery,  punish  them 


384  EXCOMMUNICATION. 

with  blindness,  and  perversion,  and  assign  tliem  their  portion 
with  hypocrites;  CMatt.  24;)  but  that  they  might,  by  virtue  of 
true  faith  in  Christ  Jesus,  valiantly  overcome  themselves,  and 
obediently  and  fully  observe  what  the  Holy  Spirit  of  the  love 
of  Christ  has  commanded  and  taught  by  his  holy  word  in  thi  s 
part.     Ah  !  let  us  reflect  upon  this. 

Finally  !  I  entreat  elders,  teachers,  ministers  and  deacons  in 
the  love  of  Christ,  that  they  would  not  teach  this  whole  matter 
carelessly  and  irrationally;  but  teach  and  inculcate  in  full  fear 
of  God,  and  with  Christian  deliberation  and  paternal  solicitude, 
in  an  apostolic  manner,  not  too  hastily,  nor  too  slowly;  not  too 
rigidly  nor  too  leniently;  lest  they  seethe  a  kid  in  its  mother's 
milk;  (Exod.  23,  34:  Deut.  14;)  but  that  they  take  of  the  first 
green  ears  of  their  land,  dry  them  by  the  heavenly  fire  of  pure 
and  unfeigned  love,  and  beat  them  into  pieces  in  the  mortar  of 
the  holy  word,  and  pour  upon  it  ^he  oil  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
which  makes  us  willingly  obedient  unto  Christ,  pour  upon  it^ 
the  sweet  smelling  frankincense  of  a  sincere  and  firm  faith 
from  which  all  must  result,  to  be  a  sweet  savor  to  the  Lord  ; 
and  thus  bring  Him  an  acceptable  meat-offering  in  his  holy 
temple.  Lay  to  heart,  in  true  love,  the  ground  of  my  admo- 
nition. 

V.  That  we  are  to  put  away  from  the  community  the  openly 
offensive,  sensual  sinner^  and  excommunicated  of  God,  and 
thus  direct  them  to  true  repentance  with  the  scriptures. 

Before  I  proceed  to  explain  this  article,  I  would  earnestly 
admonish  the  reader,  that  about  eighteen  years  ago,  I  pub- 
lished an  admonition,  in  which  I  made  no  distinction  of  sin  : 
but  through  my  inexperience,  directed  them  without  discrimi- 
nation, to  three  different  admonitions.  I  say  inexperience  ;  for 
to  the  best  of  my  knowledge,  I  neither  heard  nor  knew  at  that 
time,  anything  of  fornication,  adultery,  &c.,  among  the  breth- 
ren; and  it  appeared  to  me  impossible  that  those  who  entered 
with  us  upon  the  paths  of  righteousnees,  should  have  any  de- 
sire of  will  to  such  gross  abominations,  and  therefore,  did  not 
earnestly  reflect  upon  the  matter.  See  before  God  it  is  the 
truth  which  I  write. 

I  likewise  wrote  a  book  in  1549,  in  reply  to  those  who  would 
only  extend  excommunication  to  the  spiritual  communion,  and 
charged  us  on  all  sides  with  slanderous  words,  that  we  prac- 
ticed a  rigid,  cruel,  unmerciful  and  Pharisaic  Excommunica- 
tion. 

Finally,  I  wrote  a  few  words  against  G.  F.,  and  to  this  day 
have  made  no  particular  distinction  thereof  in  my  writings, 
nor  could  I  have  made  it  this;  I  acknowledge  openly,  for  my 


EXCOMMUNICATION.  885 

information  of  it  was  too  limited,  so  long  as  the  mattei-  was  not 
disputed  and  again  come  to  me  for  reconsideration.  But  now 
having  heard  the  ground  of  dispute,  and  having  carefully  weighed 
all  the  circumstances  connected  with  it,  in  the  balance  of  the 
holy,  divine  word,  the  following  six  reasons  have  given  me  such 
a  powerful  assurance  in  the  matter,  (the  helper  of  all  distressed 
souls  be  praised  for  his  grace,  )^hat  we  are  to  exclude  from  the 
Lord's  holy  community  all  offensively  sensual  sinners,  such  as 
fornicators,  adulterers,  drunkards,  &c. ;  these  all  ought  to  be 
put  to  open  shame  and  reproof,  with  their  ungodly  works,  and 
that  without  previously  admonishing  them,  by  virtue  of  the 
holy  divine  word,  and  thus  direct  them  to  repentance,  (1  Cor, 
5;  2  Cor.  13,)  I  say  by  virtue  of  the  word,  for,  in  the  first  place, 
it  is  evident,  as  Paul  teaches:  That  neither  fornicators  nor 
idolators,  nor  adulterers,  nor  effeminate,  nor  abusers  of  them- 
selves with  mankind,  nor  thieves,  nor  covetous,  nor  drunkards, 
nor  revilers,  nor  extortioners,  shall  inherit  the  kingdom  of  God, 
(Rom.  1 ;  1  Cor.  6, )  but  that  their  portion  will  he  eternal  death 
in  the  lake  of  fire.     (Gal.  5;  Eph.  5;  2  Thes.  1;  Rev.  21,  22.) 

Seeing  then,  it  is  more  than  clear  that  their  condemning 
sentence  is  already  passed,  whereby  they  are  already  judged  of 
God  through  his  eternal  Spirit  and  powerful  word,  both  in  heaven 
and  upon  the  earth;  that  they  exclude  themselves,  and  by  their 
ungodly  works  forsake  the  community,  that  they  kre  not  as 
they  were  before,  flesh  of  Christ's  flesh,  and  members  of  his 
holy  body;  because  they  are  so  sensual  and  devilish;  yea,  make 
themselves  dogs  and  swine,  and  servants  of  sin;  (2  Pet.  2; 
John  8;  Rom.  6;)  and  that  we  should  hold  them  as  our  dear 
brethren  and  salute  them  with  the  peace  of  the  Lord,  who,  are 
already,  I  say,  the  children  of  the  devil,  and  that  we  are  to 
exhort  without  any  evidence  of  true  repentance,  would  in  fact 
be  nothing  less  than  that  we  would  be  for  making  void  and  of 
none  effect  the  righteous  judgment  of  almighty  God,  uttered 
by  his  holy  apostles  against  such  offensive,  abominable  defilers, 
and  esteem  such  a  gross  wretch  as  a  child  of  God  and  joint  heir 
of  Christ.  But  how  such  a  great  despising  of  Christ  and  his 
righteous  judgment,  could  stand  according  to  the  scriptures,  I 
would  that  we  might  all,  impartially  and  in  the  fear  of  God, 
reflect  upon  it. 

In  the  second  place,  it  is  evident  that  all  those  who  are  envi- 
ous of  us,  are  assiduously  bent  upon  finding  but  a  mote  in  us, 
(because  they  so  despitefully  hate  us  for  truth's  sake)  in  order 
to  magnify  it  into  a  beam  and  defame  us  grossly;  and  we  then 
yet  should  retain  such  offensive,  infamous  and  abominable 
sinners,  accursed  of  God,  as  our  brethren  upon  a  slight  con- 
fession, yet  without  the  least  satisfactory  evidence  of  repent- 
ance, which  is,  perhaps,  the  more  residt  of  shame,  fear  or  feigned 

n 


o86  EXCOMMUNlCATIOJf. 

hypocrisy,  thau  through  the  fear  of  God,  aud  that  we  should 
break  with  them  the  peaceable  and  blessed  bread  of  the  Lord's 
holy  supper,  and  thus  by  actions  show  that  as  if  they  were  joint 
members  of  our  community;  and  were  we  to  do  so,  we  would 
then  undoubtedly,  in  that  case,  expose  the  fair  bride  of  the 
honor  of  Christ  to  all  the  ungodly  as  infamous,  and  make  her 
a  scoff  to  all  our  enemies.  May  the  gracious  Lord  preserve  us 
from  this,  that  we  may  never  think  of  it,  much  less  to  do  so. 
Take  notice  of  this. 

In  the  third  place,  it  is  evident,  that  with  those  three  admo- 
nitions concerning  such  gross,  offensive  abominations,  we  would 
make  many  great  hypocrites;  since  I  hear  that  there  were  some 
within  a  few  years,  who  carried  on  their  horrible  roguery  and 
infamy  in  secret,  till  time  and  circumstances  could  no  longer 
conceal  them;  yea,  as  I  have  understood,  if  some  of  them  had 
not  been  detected  by  great  wisdom,  they  would,  I  fear,  have 
continued  in  their  old  course ;  but  as  soon  as  it  was  disclosed 
they  began  to  wail  and  weep.  Who  could  ever  have  been  so 
blinded,  if  a  man  has  disgraced  his  neighbor's  wife,  daughter 
or  maid,  or  robbed  him  of  his  moneys,  &c.,  and  being  seized, 
spoken  to  and  admonished,  that  he  would  not  say:  "  I  am  sorry 
that  I  did  so."  Seeing  then  that  experience  teaches  us  the 
longer  the  more,  so  it  is  also  proper  and  consistent  with  the 
scriptures,  that  we  should  not  at  all  countenance  such  a  gross, 
shameless  sinner,  much  less  are  we  to  cherish  him  in  his  ungodly 
actions  and  wicked  career  with  false  prophets,  but  direct  them 
where  the  Holy  Ghost  directs  them  with  the  scriptures,  namely, 
out  of  the  community,  (Deut.  23;  Ezek.  13,)  lest  we  derogate 
from  the  Lord's  sentence  pronounced  in  his  word,  against  such 
people,  that  the  community  of  grace,  the  unleavened  lump  of 
Christ,  the  anointed  King  and  Priest  of  God,  may  continue  to 
be  agreeable  and  dignified;  and  also,  that  the  transgressors 
may  be  brought  sincerely  to  repent  before  God  and  his  commu- 
nity, aud  may  again  present  their  offering  and  gift  with  a  clean, 
pure,  new  conscience,  as  the  truly  sanctified  saints  of  Christ,  to 
the  altar  of  reconciliation  in  his  holy  temple.  Ah !  reflect  upon 
what  we  teach. 

In  the  fourth  place,  it  is  evident  that  Paul  teaches  us  how  we 
are  to  avoid  a  heretic,  after  we  have  admonished  him  once  and 
again,  if  he  will  not  amend.  (Tit.  3.)  Since  then  we  are  not 
urged  by  the  Holy  Ghost  to  reprove  a  man  more  than  once  or 
twice,  some  of  whom  are  outwardly  yet  quite  i)ious,  and  per- 
haps some  of  them  know  no  better,  but  suppose  they  are  in  the 
right,  say  beloved,  how  should  we  then  admonish  these  thrice, 
who  are  not  ashamed  to  sin,  not  only  against  God's  powerful 
word,  but  also  against  the  law  of  nature;  being  bent  upon  dis- 
gracing a  neighbor's  wife,  daughter  or  maiden;  to  frequent 


EXCOMNUNICATION.  381' 

public  taverns  and  houses  of  infamy;  in  selling  and  buying, 
practice  fraud,  &c.  In  sbort,  all  these  arc  sentenced  to  eternal 
death  by  the  spirit  and  word  of  the  Lord,  if  they  -will  not  re- 
pents as  heard. 

It  would,  according  to  my  opinion,  be  very  unbecoming,  if 
we  rightly  reflect  upon  it,  that  we  should  run  after  those  who 
are  already  condemned,  to  admonish  them  thrice  before  sepa- 
ration should  take  place ;  and  though  they  regard  not  the  first 
and  second  admonition,  that  we  should  still  hold  them  as  breth- 
ren in  the  community,  till  the  third  time;  if  they  would  even 
then  evince  that  they  were  sorry  they  should  remain  brethren, 
if  not,  then  it  should  be  told  them  before  the  community,  out 
of  the  word  of  God,  that  they  had  no  more  fellowship  with 
Christ,  but  are  accursed  according  to  the  scriptures.  All  who 
are  taught  of  God,  I  will  let  judge  how  such  doctrine  and  con- 
duct could  stand  the  test  of  the  Lord's  justice  and  word. 

In  the  fifth  place,  it  is  evident,  so  far  as  I  am  able  to  judge, 
that  holy  Paul  wrote  his  first  epistle  to  the  Corinthians  with 
such  a  view,  as  related;  for  he  says,  that  they  shall  neither 
eat  nor  keep  company  with  any  that  is  a  fornicator,  or  covetous, 
an  idolater  or  drunkard,  &c.,  he  does  not  even  mention  one  ad- 
monition, much  less  two  or  three;  but  he  says:  A  little  leaven 
leaventh  the  whole  lump;  which  is  undoubtedly  true;  for  facts 
have  more  than  satisfactorily  proven  how  often  the  pious,  on 
their  account,  are  considered  rather  as  an  offensive  savor,  who 
should  otherwise  be  a  sweet  savor,  were  it  not  for  those  shame- 
ful members. 

In  the  sixth  place,  it  is  evident,  that  Paul  did  not  only  thus 
teach  this  ground ;  but  also  showed  it  by  an  open  example  to 
the  unclean  Corinthian  who  sat  with  his  step-mother  in  a  very 
unbecoming  manner;  for  without  any  previous  admonition  he 
judged  him  according  to  his  ungodly  works,  and  put  him,  by 
the  word  and  spirit  of  the  Lord,  out  of  the  community,  and  de- 
livered him  unto  satan,  into  whose  hands  he  had  already  fallen 
through  his  unnatural,  detestable  incontinency,  in  order  that 
through  this  severe  sentence  and  open  shame,  he  might  mortify 
and  bury  his  unclean,  shameful  flesh,  with  its  sensual  lusts,  and 
that  his  soul  might  be  saved  in  the  day  of  the  Lord,  (1  Cor.  5,) 
and  was  not  received  again  before  the  term  of  a  year  or  longer, 
as  history  informs,  till  they  saw  that  he  sincerely  repented, 
and  might  have  been  swallowed  up  with  over  much  sorrow.  (2 
Cor.  2.). 

And  it  would,  according  to  my  opinion,  be  proper  that  we 
should  not  so  soon  again  admit  such  sensual  persons,  who  have 
beyond  measure  defamed  the  holy  word,  and  brought  such 
great  tribulation  upon  the  pious  with  their  abominable  disgrace, 
though  they  may  seemingly  lament  and  promise  much;  but  ex- 


388  EXCOMMUNICATION. 

amine  more  closely  the  fruits  of  their  repentance  for  some  time; 
for  it  is  not  repentance  though  they  say:  "We  have  sinned  !" 
but  repentance  is  a  converted,  changed,  pious  and  new  heart, 
a  broken  and  contrite  spirit,  from  which  flow  the  tears  of  sin- 
cerity, a  candid  confession,  a  true  desire  to  depart  from  tlft  evil 
in  which  a  person  was.  A  sincere  and  cordial  hatred  to  sin, 
and  an  unblamable,  j>ious  Christian  life — this  is  repentance 
which  will  stand  before  God.  I  entreat  you  learn  rightly  to 
know  both  repentance  and  sin.     Take  heed  thereto. 

Behold,  faithful  brethren,  here  you  have  my  most  important 
Writings,  discourses  and  reasons  which  moved  me  more  deeply 
to  reflect  upon  this  matter  in  the  fear  of  God.  Again  I  say,  as 
I  said  above,  in  speaking  of  the  separation  of  man  and  wife,  is 
there  one  under  the  canopy  of  heaven,  whoever  he  be,  that  can 
instruct  me,  by  divine  truth,  that  a  secret  or  open  fornicator, 
adulterer,  drunkard,  &c,,  can  be  a  member  of  the  Lord's  holy 
body,  till  he  is  admonished  two  or  three  times;  observe  this 
well.  Or  that  the  sentence  of  the  Holy  Ghost  pronounced  by 
Paul,  (in  all  the  scriptures  j  against  such  deadly  abominations, 
depends  upon  the  condition  of  two  or  three  admonitions.  In 
the  second  place,  observe:  Whether  we  have  not  cause  to  fear 
that  the  pious  will  be  derided  when  we  have  no  other  evidence 
of  reformation  than  a  mere  promise;  or  that  we  may,  by  the 
power  of  the  keys,  retain  those  which  God  has  already  excluded 
by  the  word  of  his  truth;  or  that  the  community  should  judge 
uncertainties  by  Christ's  holy  spirit  and  word,  (I  mean  without 
evidently  true  repentance, )  and,  in  such  a  case  by  permission  of . 
the  scriptures,  esteem  hypocrites  as  well  as  the  truly  penitent, 
and  greet  them  as  brethren.  Or  that  the  community  may  also 
proclaim  the  grace,  mercy  and  peace  of  God  and  eternal  life 
by  virtue  of  truth  of  scripture  to  those  though  they  are  under 
His  displeasure,  curse,  wrath  and  punishment  of  eternal  death, 
on  account  of  their  bloody  and  wicked  deeds.  Or  that  the 
abominations  or  sins  committed,  do  not  bring  the  sinner  to 
death  as  soon  as  exclusion  from  the  community.  Or  that  the 
spirit  of  grace  with  a  sincere  faith  and  true  repentance,  which 
avail  with  God,  does  not  assure  the  transgressor  of  the  promise 
of  life,  more  than  the  outward  conversation  in  the  community, 
&c.  If  he  can  convince  us  of  all  this,  we  desire  then  cordi- 
ally to  follow  him,  and  change  and  renounce  our  views. 

But  if  this  cannot  be  done,  as  it  never  can  be,  I  therefore  en- 
treat all  who  are  concerned,  that  they  would  not  liken  them- 
selves unto  vain  comforts  and  false  prophets,  (Jer.  23,)  who 
strengthen  the  hands  of  the  wicked,  and  daub  the  wall  with 
untempered  mortar,  (Ezek.  13,)  and  teach  peace,  peace,  where 
there  is  no  peace,  (Jer,  8,)  but  that  they  would  leave  the  sen- 
tence of  the  Lord,  v»hich  proceeded  from  his  divine  righteous- 


EXCCMMUNICATIOK.  389 

ness,  unbroken;  and  tear  the  deceptive  bolsters  and  pillows 
from  under  the  heads  of  the  ungodly,  and  keep  clean  and  pure 
Christ's  holy  community  as  much  as  in  them  lies,  that  they 
may  build  upon  a  sure  foundation,  and  direct  the  impenitent, 
sensual  sinners  to  repentance,  as  heard.  Deal  faithfully,  reflect 
upon  these  things  and  learn  wisdom. 

VI.  Of  secret  sinners,  who  are  again  inwardly  admonished  of 
the  Holy  Ghost  and  are  sincerely  and  truly  converted. 

The  full  desire  of  my  heart  is,  that  each  one  would  so  fear 
and  know  God  as  to  say  in  spirit  and  truth  with  David :  Whither 
shall  I  go  from  thy  Spirit  ?  Or,  whither  shall  I  flee  from  thy 
presence?  If  I  ascend  up  into  heaven,  thou  art  there;  if  I 
make  my  bed  in  hell,  behold,  thou  art  there;  if  I  take  the 
wings  of  the  morning,  and  dwell  in  the  uttermost  parts  of  the 
sea,  even  there  shall  thy  hand  lead  me,  and  thy  right  hand  shall 
hold  me;  if  I  say:  Surely  the  darkness  shall  cover  me;  even 
the  night  shall  be  light  about  me;  yea,  the  darkness  liideth  not 
from  thee;  but  the  night  shineth  as  the  day;  the  darkness  and 
the  light  are  both  alike  unto  thee;  for  thou  hast  possessed  my 
reins;  thou  hast  covered  me  in  my  mother's  womb.  (Ps.  139.) 
And  with  Isaiah:  Wo  unto  them  that  seek  deep  to  hide  their 
counsel  from  the  Lord,  and  their  works  are  in  the  dark,  and 
they  say:  Who  seeth  us?  And  who  knoweth  us?  (Isa.  29.) 
Observe  this  denunciation — "Wo  to  them."  &c. 

Chosen  brethren,  take  heed ;  none  under  the  canopy  of 
heaven,  can  so  conceal  himself  that  he  cannot  be  seen  by  the 
flaming  eyes  of  the  Lord,  or  not  be  found  by  the  avenging  hand 
of  His  wrath  in  his  wickedness.  Yea,  the  least  thought  is  not 
concealed  in  our  hearts  which  is  not  open  to  the  eyes  of  the 
Lord,  (Heb.  4.)  I,  therefore,  warn  every  one  in  general,  that 
you  with  all  your  powers  watch  against  sin,  whetlier  secret  or 
open;  if  sin  is  not  sincerely  repented  of,  your  portion  will  be 
eternal  death.  Let  all  the  impenitent  and  heedless  sinners 
reflect  upon  this,  (Kom.  1;  1  Cor.  6;  Rev.  21.) 

This  I  write  to  all  beloved  brethren  as  a  Christian  warning, 
that  you  may  fear  the  Lord's  sentence,  both  openly  and  pri- 
vately, and  dread  sin.  Though  we  may  hot  be  reproved  or  seen 
of  men  here,  still  we  cannot  escape  the  eyes  and  punishment  of 
God  !  Ah  !  that  we  all  understood  this. 

#  However,  should  it  ever  happen  that  any  one  should  sin 
against  God  in  private,  (from  which  may  all  his  power  preserve 
us,)  and  should  the  spirit  of  grace,  which  works  repentance, 
again  operate  upon  his  heart,  and  cause  genuine  repentance,  of 
which  we  have  not  to  judge;  for  it  a  matter  between  him  and 
God.    And  since  it  is  evident  that  we  do  not  seek  our  right- 


390  EXCOMMUKICATION. 

eousness  and  salvation,  the  remission  of  our  sins,  sanctification, 
reconciliation  and  eternal  life  in  or  through  Excommunication, 
but  alone  in  Christ's  righteousness,  intercession,  merits,  death 
and  blood.  There  are  but  two  objects  and  ends  why  the  Ban  is 
commanded  in  the  scriptures,  which  can  have  no  reference  to 
such  an  one.  Because,  in  the  first  place,  his  sins  are  private; 
hence  no  offence  can  follow.  And  secondly,  because  he  is  in 
deep  contrition  and  is  penitent  in  life.  Therefore,  he  has  no 
need  then  of  being  brought  to  repentance.  Nor  are  we  any 
whare  commanded  of  Christ  to  put  him  to  open  shame  before 
the  community.     Reflect  upon  these  things. 

VII.  What  is  the  true  sense  of  the  passage  in  Mattheio  xviii, 
where  Christ  says:  If  thy  brother  shall  trespass  against  thee^  S^c 

Our  only  and  eternal  high  priest,  Jesus  Christ,  undoubtedly 
knew  our  weak  and  feeble  nature,  that  (if  we  are  not  watchful, ) 
we  would  often  fall  into  errors  towards  our  neighbor,  and  there- 
fore does  he  teach  and  say:  If  thy  brother  trespass  against  thee, 
go  and  tell  him  his  fault  between  thee  and  him  alone:  If  he  shall 
hear  thee^  thou  hast  gained  ttiy  brother;  but  if  he  will  not  hear 
thee,  then  take  with  thee  one  or  two  more,  that  in  the  mouth  of 
tiDo  or  three  witnesses  every  word  may  be  established;  and  if  he 
will  neglect  to  hear  them,  tell  it  iinto  the  church,  but  if  he  neglect 
to  hear  the  church,  let  him  be  to  thee  as  an  heathen  and  a  publi- 
can, ^c.  Whereupon  Peter  asked  him:  How  oft  shall  my 
brother  sin  against  me,  and  I  forgive  him — till  seven  times? 
Christ  ansv/ered:  /  say  not  unto  thee,  until  seven  times;  but, 
U7itil  seventy  times  seven.     (Matt.  18;  Luke  17.) 

It  is  evident  that  these  words  of  Christ  teach,  in  the  first 
place,  that  if  any  one  should  err  or  sin  against  his  brother 
through  negligence,  infirmity,  inconsiderateness,  inexperience, 
or  ignorance,  that  he  should  not,  therefore,  hate  him  in  his 
heart;  nor  conceal  or  connive  at  his  transgression;  but  out  of 
true  brotherly  love  admonish  and  reprove  him,  lest  his  brother 
fall  into  greater  errors  and  perish;  but  by  this  means  reclaim 
him,  and,  as  Moses  says,  not  make  himself  guilty  or  his  sins. 
(Lev.  19.)  It  is  the  nature  and  disposition  of  Christians  not  to 
hate  any  on  account  of  his  infirmities,  but  they  seek  with  all 
their  heart  how  they  may  lead  such  an  one  in  the  true  way  of 
love  by  instructing  him;  for  a  true  Christian  knows  nothing  of 
hatred.     (James  3,  4.) 

In  the  second  place  ;  those  words  teach  us  that  he  who  has* 
transgressed  should  receive  the  admonition  of  his  brother  in 
love  and  be  again  cordially  reconciled ;  as  he  teaches  at  an 
other  place,  and  says  :  Therefore,  if  thou  bring  thy  gift  to  the 
altar,  and  there  rememberest  that  thy  brother  hath  aught  against 


EXCOMMUNICATIOI?.  891 

thee;  leave  there  thy  gift  before  the  altar,  and  go  thy  way;  first 
be  reconciled  to  thy  brother.  (Matt.  5.)  Here  it  is  also  the  nature 
and  disposition  of  the  anointed,  those  who  are  born  of  the  holy- 
seed  of  divine  love,  that  if  they  trespass  against  a  brother,  they 
have  neither  peace  nor  rest  of  conscience  till  they  are  again 
fully  reconciled  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  that  without  hypocrisy. 
For  they  are  a  seed  and  generation  of  peace,  children  of  love, 
who  manifest  their  Christianity  in  full  power;  and  testify  it  by 
deeds  that  they  know  God.  But  those  who«do  not  so,  have 
Christ's  word  to  judge  them.  Although  the  first  transgression 
may  at  times  not  be  of  itself  a  sin  unto  death;  but  will  after 
some  time  make  him  sensual  if  he  has  no  peculiar  regard  to 
love,  that  he  will  have  to  endure  severe  punishment  on  account 
of  his  wickedness.  For  it  is  more  than  clear  that  he,  who  de- 
spises his  brother,  rejects  the  affectionate  admonition,  acts 
against  Christian  charity,  despises  the  community  of  God,  re- 
jects the  word  of  the  Lord,  and  that  he  would  rather  continue 
unreproved  in  his  transgression,  through  his  immoveable  stub- 
bornness, rather  walk  in  the  crooked  paths  of  the  unrighteous; 
yea,  sooner  forsake  Christ's  kingdom  and  people  than  subdue 
his  stubborn,  proud  flesh,  and  again  be  reconciled  in  love,  ac- 
cording to  the  word  of  the  Lord,  with  his  brother  against  whom 
he  transgressed.  Paul  rightly  observes :  That  to  be  carnally 
minded  is  death,     (Rom.  8.)    Observe  this. 

In  the  third  place  ;  if  the  transgressing  brother  will  sincerely 
receive,  in  love,  the  brotherly  admonition  of  his  offended 
brother,  and  is  humbly  reconciled,  and  afterwards  ceases  trans- 
gressing, then  in  that  case  he  will  no  more  remember,  but  cor- 
dially forgive  him,  although  he  may  have  often  sinned  against 
him.  Even  as  God  for  Jesus'  sake,  forgives  all  our  sins,  so  must 
we  also  forgive  our  neighbor  all  his  transgressions  in  Christ, 
which  he  has  committed  against  us.  (Col.  3;  Eph.  4.)  And 
we  dare  not  under  any  circumstances  indulge  in  hatred  or  ven- 
geance against  him,  though  he  should  never  reform.  We  have 
a  true  example  in  Christ,  and  Stephen  his  witness.  (Luke  23; 
Acts  7. )  And  it  is  also  the  nature  and  disposition  of  all  anoint- 
ed, who  are  born  of  God,  that  they  possess  their  souls  in  peace 
and  patience,  they  keep  pure  and  uncorrupted their  conscience; 
their  prayer  unhindered;  their  love  perfect  sound  and  true ; 
their  minds  firm  and  unwavering,  no  matter  how  we  behave 
towards  them. 

From  all  of  which  it  is  more  than  clear  that  these  three  sev- 
eral admonitions  of  which  Christ  speaks,  are  to  take  place  first 
between  him  and  you  alone  ;  secondly  before  witnesses  and 
then,  thirdly,  before  the  church,  and  do  not  extend  to  all  offen- 
sive sensual  sinners,  over  whom  the  eternal  sentence  of  death 
is  already  pronounced ;  but  it  has  reference  only  to  the  short- 


892  EXCOMMUNICATION. 

comings  between  brother  and  brother,  and  that  for  the  follow- 
ing seven  Beasons. 

First,  he  says  ;  If  tliy  hrother  trespass  against  thee.  Observe 
what  he  says  :  Against  thee — not  Against  God.  For  all 
the  sins  he  commits  against  you,  you  may  forgive  him,  so  far  as 
respects  you  ;  but  not  as  it  respects  Ood.     (1  Sam.  3.) 

Secondly,  he  says  :  Tell  him  Ms  fault  hetmeen  thee  and  him 
alone.  Observe,  beiiceen  thee  and  him  alone.  (1  Cor.  5;  2  Cor. 
13.)  And  I  trust  that  all  who  understand  the  holy  word  will 
assent  that  an  open  transgression  or  sin,  requires  no  private 
admonition,  but  is  to  be  publicly  reproved. 

Thirdly,  he  says:  That  in  the  mouth  of  tico  or  three  icitnesses 
every  word  may  he  established.  Observe,  that  he  says:  Two  or 
three.  And  that  an  open  transgression  requires  no  witness  but  is 
itself  its  own  accuser  and  witness,  is  clear  as  the  meridian  sun. 

Fourthly,  he  says :  Then  tell  it  unto  the  Church.  Observe, 
unto  the  church.  And  for  us  to  tell  an  open,  well  known  dis- 
grace to  them,  which  is  already  known,  is  quite  useless.  To  this 
all  must  assent  wdio  have  understanding. 

Fifthly,  he  also  says  in  Luke  17  :  And  if  he  trespass  against 
thee  seven  times  in  a  day.  Observe,  he  says :  Against  thee. 
And  that  any  one  should  sin  seven  times  a  day,  much  less 
seventy  tiilics  seven  a  day,  against  his  brother,  (which  no  true 
Christian  will  do,)  much  less  against  God. 

Sixthly,  that  he  says  :  And  seven  times  in  a  day,  turn  again 
to  thee  saying,  I  repent.  Observe,  he  says  :  Turn  to  thee  seven 
times  in  a  day.  And  my  opinion  is  that  if  any  one  were  to  come 
to  us  but  two  or  three  times  in  a  year,  much  less  to  come  to 
us  daily,  whenever  he  rumaged  our  chest,  stole  our  purse, 
or  disgraced  our  wife,  daughter  or  maid,  and  say,  '•''Ah, 
brother  I  repent!''^  how  soon  would  he  not  hear  that  he  is  a 
desperate  rogue  and  an  ungodly  knave.  Again,  I  say,  observe 
this. 

Seventhly,  that  he  says  :  Thou  shalt  forgive  him.  Observe, 
he  says:  Thou  shalt  forgive  him.  And  the  scriptures  plainly 
teach  that  none  can  forgive  sins  (these  are  the  ten  thousand 
talents  which  were  owing  to  the  king, )  but  God  alone.  (Matt.  9 ; 
Mark  2;  Luke  5,  7.)  And  that  we  alone  can  pay  the  hundred 
pence  which  we  owe  our  brother,  as  the  Lord  teaches  in  the 
parable  with  all  plainness.    (Matt.  18.) 

Behold,  in  the  sense  the  holy  scriptures  are  salutary  to  us, 
and  i)roceed  in  its  order  and  thus  direct  to  deal  when  one  bro- 
ther trespass  against  another  to  admonish  him  three  times. 
(Matt.  18.)  And  that  we  are  to  admonish  a  heretic  once  or 
twice,  (Tit.  3,)  and  an  open,  offensive  sensual  sinner,  who  is 
already  condemned  bv  the  word,  is  not  at  all  to  be  admonished. 
(1  Cor.  5;  2  Cor.  13.)' 


EXCOMMUNICATION.  398 

Do  impartially  reflect  upon  what  the  scriptures  say,  without 
hypocrisy  and  in  love. 

VIII.  That  we  are  not  to  pervert  the  truth  with  David^s  sin,  re- 
pentance aiid  remission;  but  have  to  understand  it  rightly  ac- 
cordiny  to  scripture. 

It  is  evident  that  abominable,  sensual  sins,  such  as  fornica- 
tion and  adultery  and  the  like,  generally  arise  from  blindness 
of  heart;  that  they  are  committed  presumptuously,  are  the  re- 
sult of  unclean,  inflamed  passions  and  sensual  lusts;  notwith- 
standing the  beginning  of  them  may  have  taken  their  rise  ap- 
parently from  infirmity.  Of  this  we  have  a  true  case  in  David, 
although  he  was  a  man  after  God's  own  heart,  (1  Sam  17,)  and 
by  virtue  of  his  faith  slew  the  giant  Goliah,  (whom  all  Israel 
dreaded,)  and  rescued  the  lamb  from  the  jaws  of  lions  and 
bears,  still  he  was  so  led  captive  in  his  flesh  by  the  sight  of  his 
eyes  that  he  sinned  greatly;  for  as  soon  as  he  consented  sip 
was  committed,  and  his  heart  (which  was  before  a  temple  of 
the  Holy  Ghost,)  was  so  blinded  and  bewitched,  that  he,  with- 
out any  dread,  fell  into  one  deadly  sin  and  wickedness  after 
another;  yea,  as  appears,  he  never  thought  of  the  Lord  who 
saved  him  from  so  many  dangers,  and  called  him  to  such  dis- 
tinguished honor,  and  endowed  him  with  such  a  precious  spirit. 
For  when  it  was  told  him  of  Bathsheba,  that  she  was  with 
child  to  him,  he  sought  to  hide  this  flagrant  act;  had  Urias 
called  from  the  field  and  pretended  as  if  he  wished  to  consult 
him  in  relation  to  the  war,  admonished  him  twice;  that  he 
should  go  into  this  house:  why  he  did  so  is  well  understood. 
Afterwards  he  invited  him  to  feast,  pretending  as  if  he  was 
sincere,  so  that  he  might  make  him  drunk,  and  go  in  unto  his 
wife  and  cover  David's  shame.  But  when  he  failed  in  all 
this,  he  gave  this  truly  valiant  man  an  ungodly,  treacherous 
letter,  that  Joab  should  place  him  in  such  a  point  where  the 
danger  of  being  killed  was  greatest,  so  that  he  might  be  slain. 

Behold,  thus  you  see  how  one  wicked  act  engendered  an- 
other when  he  consented  to  the  lusts  of  the  eyes,  and  gave 
place  to  sin.  He  was  blinded  to  such  a  degree  in  his  inflamed 
flesh,  and  was  so  deeply  involved  in  sin,  that,  according  to  the 
rigor  of  the  law,  (had  he  not  himself  wielded  the  sceptre, )  he 
would  have  been  two-fold  guilty  of  the  Ban  or  curse  of  death; 
first,  because  he  was  an  adulterer ;  secondly,  because  he  was 
guilty  of  innocent  blood. 

He  continued  in  such  abominations  till  the  prophet  came  to 
him,  and  through  a  parable,  so  wisely  reproved  him  that  he 
pronounced  his  own  sentence  as  worthy  of  death.  When  he 
heard  the  word  of  the  prophet  who  appealed  powerfully  to  his 


394  ExcoMMU^•IcATlo^^ 

heart,  he  was  moved,  sought  for  grace,  and  without  delay  turn- 
ed to  God  with  a  broken  heart,  and  bitterly  wept  over  his  great 
sin,  and  confessed  to  the  Lord  that  he  had  sinned :  prayed  and 
sighed  painfully.  O  God  !  said  he,  be  merciful  unto  me  accord- 
ing to  thy  loving  kindness,  according  to  the  multitude  of  thy 
tender  mercies,  blot  out  my  transgressions;  wash  me  thorough- 
ly from  mine  iniquity,  and  cleanse  me  from  my  sin.  Create  in 
me  a  clean  heart,  O  God,  and  renew  aright  sp'rit  within  me:  cast 
me  not  away  from  thy  presence ;  and  take  not  thy  Holy  Spirit 
from  me,  &c.  (Ps.  51.)  On  account  of  which  he  was  again  com- 
forted of  the  prophet,  who  told  him  :  The  Lord  hath  put  away 
thy  sin;  thou  shalt  not  die.  Nevertheless,  he  had  to  endure  a 
severe  punishment  on  account  of  it:  For,  said  Nathan,  there- 
fore, shall  the  sword  never  depart  from  thy  house;  because 
thou  hast  despised  me — the  Lord  said,  behold,  I  will  raise  up 
evil  against  thee  out  of  thine  own  house,  and  I  will  take  thy 
wives  before  thine  eyes,  and  give  them  unto  thy  neighbor,  and 
he  shall  lie  with  thy  wives  in  the  sight  of  this  sun;  because  thou 
didst  despise  me.  Observe,  he  says:  Because  thou  didst  despise 
me.     (3  Sam.  12.) 

And  behold,  thus  David's  wantonness  resulted  in  greatly 
despising  God,  and  it  was  a  grievous  sin  unto  him.  True  are 
the  words  of  James:  Then  when  lust  hath  conceived,  it  bringeth 
forth  sin,  and  sin  tchen  it  hath  finished,  bringeth  forth  death. 
(James  1.) 

Thus  it  is  in  the  new  state  of  things  in  Christ,  for  since  we 
are  not  to  punish  the  abominable,  sensual  transgressors  with 
fire,  stone  or  sword  as  Israel  did  of  old,  but  only  by  excommu- 
nication, as  is  well  known  to  all  who  are  taught  of  God;  and 
thus  it  bi^hooves  us  to  consign  those  with  their  wicked  deeds, 
where  the  scriptures  direct  them,  namely,  into  death,  and  to  the 
wrath  of  God,  as  holy  Nathan  did  blood-guilty  and  adulterous 
David.  And  they  will  then,  under  such  a  dread,  severe  sentence, 
(which,  according  to  the  scripture  is  pronounced  upon  them  by 
exclusion  in  true  love)  by  the  grace  of  God,  go  within  their 
hearts,  and  are  provoked,  like  penitent  David,  to  true  repent- 
ance ;  yea,  that  we  may  evidently  see  by  all  their  words,  works 
and  whole  life  in  truth,  that  the  gracious  Father  has  again  re- 
ceived and  endowed  them  with  his  spirit,  and  pardoned  their 
sins  :  then,  and  not  till  then,  (understand  well  what  I  say, )  have 
we  the  same  word  of  promise  whereby  we  can  again  comfort 
them  and  proclaim  to  them  the  grace  of  the  Lord,  namely : 
The  Lord  hath  put  away  thy  sin,  thou  shalt  not  die,  thy  sins  are 
pardoned,  go  and  sin  no  more;  and  the  like  consolation. 

And  thus  it  becames  us  rightly  to  divine  the  scriptures,  that 
we  do  not  make  David's  sin,  repentance  and  remission  as  an 
example  of  encouragement  to  the  blind  world,  that  we  do  not 


EXCOMMDNICATIOK.  *  395 

esteem  them  our  brethren  who  are  accursed  of  God,  without 
giving  full  evidence  of  their  repentance  and  reformation,  so  that 
the  community  may  be  fully  satisfied.  For  we  must  not  build 
upon  uncertainties,  and  comfort  in  vain,  but  like  Nathan  com- 
fort when  we  see  true  repentance,  if  we  would  not  wish  to  flatter 
sinners  with  lies,  and  derogate  from  the  judgment  of  God  as 
heard. 

IX.  Of  Petev^s  iticonsideratc  backsliding^  and  immediate 
recovery. 

Dearly  beloved  brethren,  beware,  even  as  we  have  shown  and 
explained  to  you,  that  the  abominable,  sensual  sins  generally 
arise  from  the  inflamed  i)assions  of  the  flesh ;  and  so  it  can 
happen  that  sins  may  be  committed  through  infirmities.  Of  this 
we  have  a  true  example  in  Peter;  for  when  the  Lord  said  to 
him :  Simon,  Simon,  behold  satan  hath  desired  to  have  thee, 
that  he  may  sift  thee  as  wheat:  but  I  have  prayed  for  thee,  that 
thy  faith  fail  not;  and  when  thou  art  converted,  strengthen  thy 
brethren.  To  which  he  replied  with  much  assurance :  If  all 
will  leave  thee,  I  will  not;  Lord,  I  am  ready  to  go  with  thee, 
both  into  prison  and  to  death.  (Matt.  26;  Mark  14;  Luke 
22.) 

Peter  was  for  venturing  all  with  his  master,  as  he  said  ;  but 
as  soon  as  he  stood  alone,  he  could  not  endure  a  single  question 
put  to  him  by  a  maid  ;  he  openly  denied  Christ,  though  the 
evening  previous  he  said  i^at  he  would  die  with  him.  Yea,  he 
was  so  alarmed  and  frightened  that  he  began  to  curse,  and 
swore  that  he  did  not  know  Christ ;  (Matt.  20;  Mark  14;  Luke 
22;  John  18.) 

O  God  !  there  lay  the  upright,  bold  Peter,  the  finn  rock, 
broken.  Although  he  had  been  taught  of  the  heavenly  Father 
and  honored  by  Christ,  the  beloved  son  of  God,  with  the  promise 
of  the  keys  of  the  kingdom  of  heaven,  CMatt.  16,)  nevertheless, 
he  could  not  endure  but  such  a  faint  blow.  Behold,  thus  man 
is  nothing,  poor,  miserable,  sick  and  impotent,  (especially  in  so 
great  need,)  if  he  is  not  strengthened  by  the  spirit  of  God.  But 
what  was  it?  Peter  had  to  learn  to  know  what  that  man  is,  who 
depends  upon  his  own  strength,  and  not  in  the  full  fear  of  God, 
upon  Christ  and  his  grace.  Besides  he  learned  how  to  be  com- 
passionate and  merciful  towards  his  poor,  fallen  brother,  who 
would  again  be  heartily  converted  and  rise  without  hypocrisy 
from  his  fall. 

It  appears  to  me  that  this  may  justly  be  called  an  unexpec- 
tedly precipitate  error  in  Peter.  For  he  entertained  not  a 
single  thought  before,  that  he  w6uld  deny  his  Lord  and  Saviour. 
And  he  also  rose  in  the  very  hour,  went  out  and  wept  bitterly , 


396  EXCOMMUNICATION. 

(Luke  22,)  and  on  the  third  day  he  was  again  comforted  with 
the  gospel  by  the  holy  angels  of  the  Lord,  (Mark  16.) 

Observe,  brethren,  how  Paul  teaches  :  Brethren,  if  a  man  be 
overtaken,  (observe,  he  says  overtaken,)  in  a  fault,  ye  which  are 
spiritual^  restore  such  an  one  in  the  spirit  of  meekness;  consid- 
ering thyself,  lest  thou  he  also  tempted.     CGal.  6.) 

Chosen  brethren  in  the  Lord,  I  would  then  most  affectionately 
entreat  you  by  the  words  of  Paul  and  the  fall  of  Peter,  and  ad- 
monish you  faithfully  in  Christ  Jesus,  that  you  would  by  all 
means,  discriminate,  by  the  spirit  of  wisdom,  between  simple 
backsliding  and  continuing  in  that  state.  For  if  any  one  con- 
tinues in  a  sin  (upon  which  eternal  death  depends)  he  is  already 
condemned  by  the  scriptures,  (Rom,  1;  Gal,  5;  Eph.  5;  2 
Thess.  1:  Rev.  21.)  But  if  any  one  falls  into  it  unwarily,  of 
him  the  prophet  says:  Shall  they  fall  and  not  arise?  (Jer.  8  ) 
And  as  Paul  says:  Restore  such  an  one.  It  is,  therefore,  just 
and  right  that  we  are  truly  circumspect;  that  we  do  not  depress 
too  much  a  poor,  broken-hearted  sinner,  who  would  willingly  be 
restored  and  rescued  from  his  deplorable  condition  ;  but  we 
must,  in  Christian  meekness,  tender  him  the  hand  of  charity,  lift 
up  and  help  him  to  bear  his  burden  as  much  as  in  us.  is,  and  as 
far  as  our  conscience  and  the  word  of  God  permit.  Ah !  do  take 
heed,  be  not  too  rash  in  such  a  case,  lest  you  may  also  be  temp- 
ted or  overcome,  as  Paul  says.  Let  holy  Peter  be  an  admoni- 
tion to  you,  in  order  that  you  will  not  lose  yourselves  in  your 
proud  minds.  For  if  a  man  thinks  himself  to  be  something  when 
he  is  nothing,  he  deceiveth  himself.  "  (Gal.  6.)  In  short :  Let 
him  that  thinketh  he  standeth,  take  heed  lest  he  fall,  (1  Cor. 
10.  j  For  the  snares  are  more  numerous  than  we  are  aware  ; 
those  who  would  wish  to  escape  them  must  be  dead  to  sin,  re- 
generated and  true  Christians,  be  constant  in  prayer,  be  circum- 
spect, watch  assiduously,  and  must  be  led  and  influenced  by  the 
Holy  Ghost,  else  they  will  soon  be  in  the  snare  of  death.  Ah  ! 
let  us  reflect  upon  this. 

Let  every  one  examine  himself  fully,  whether  he  has  not 
sinned  before  God  since  his  conversion,  and  become  a  faulty 
vessel.  He  that  may  think  he  is  free,  let  him  cast  the  first 
stone.  But  he  that  does  not  find  himself  altogether  free,  let 
him  with  Peter  strengthen  his  weak  brother,  who,  perhaps,  has 
not  sinned  half  so  heinously. 

Since  then,  it  is  manifest,  that  to  fall,  and  to  continue  in  that 
condition,  and  presumptuously  to  sin,  are  different;  therefore, 
will  I  leave  such  sins,  on  account  of  which  the  people  of  the 
Lord  are  grieved,  (if  such  should  be  the  case)  to  the  spirit, 
unction,  deliberation,  fear  of  God  and  love  of  the  community, 
to  look  into  with  wisdom  and  understanding.  If  they  deem  it 
deserving  excommunication,  let  them  judge  as  the  scriptures 


EXCOMMUNICATION.  397 

teach.  If  they  consider  it  not  in  that  light,  but  only  as  a  sin, 
unwarily  committed,  that  they  then  restore  the  sinner  or  trans- 
gressor, with  a  spirit  of  meekness  and  love.  This  is  my  admoni- 
tion with  all  the  faithful  apostles,  fathers,  teachers  and  our  pre- 
decessor, the  apostle  Paul,  to  all  the  pious.  These  words  are 
full  of  power  and  spirit :  Considering  thyself ^  lest  thou  also  be 
tempted.     (Gal.  6.) 

X.  How  we  should  understand^  according  to  the  scriptures^ 
the  saying  of  James :  If  any  of  yoxL  do  err  from  the  truth^  ^c. 
(James  5.) 

In  the  first  place,  the  rational  law  of  nature  teaches  us,  that 
if  one  sees  his  neighbor's  house  or  goods  on  fire,  or  sees  his 
neighbor  sick,  or  his  body,  his  wife,  his  children  or  his  cattle 
needing  assistance,  he  must  willingly  render  him  aid,  and  ex- 
tend his  hand  to  his  neighbor,  in  time  of  need. 

Again,  Moses  says  :  When  one  sees  his  brother's  ox  or  his 
sheep  go  astray,  he  shall  not  hide  himself  from  them,  but  shall 
bring  them  again  to  him.     (Exod.  23;  Lent.  22.) 

Thirdly,  Christ  says  :  What  man  of  you  have  a  hundred 
sheep,  if  he  lose  one  of  them,  doth  not  leaving  the  ninety  and 
nine  in  the  wilderness,  and  go  after  that  which  is  lost  till  he 
find  it.     (Matt.  18;  Luke  15.) 

Observe  then,  how  the  law  of  nature,  of  Moses  and  of  Christ, 
teaches  us  such  great  love  and  discretion  not  towards  men 
alone,  but  towards  our  temporal  goods,  and  to  our  creatures,  so 
it  is  proper  that  we,  who  are  born  of  the  holy  seed  of  love, 
should  seek  for  the  souls  of  our  neighbor,  whose  feet  we  see 
upon  the  way  of  sin,  which  leads  to  death.  Thus  James  says  : 
Brethren,  if  any  of  you  do  err  from  the  truth  and  one  convert 
him,  let  him  know  that  he  which  converteth  a  sinner  from  the 
error  of  his  way,  shall  save  a  soul  from  death  and  shall  hide  a 
multitude  of  sins.     (James  5.) 

Here  we  would  entreat  all  pious  hearts,  for  Jesus'  sake,  that 
they  would  make  a  distinction  between  those  who  ignorantly 
err,  and  those  who  willingly  go  in  the  way  of  death,  in  order 
that  the  word  of  James  be  not  expounded  so  as  to  become  a 
false  comfort  and  support,  to  wanton  and  benighted  sinners;  for 
it  is  clear,  that  they  are  already  judged  to  death  by  the  scrip- 
tures, as  we  frequently  have  observed ;  but  when  any  of  our 
Father's  little  ones,  Christ's  sheep  (Matt.  18)  err,  and  begin  to 
turn  their  ears  to  false  doctrine,  which  is  adorned  with  fair 
words,  who  suffer  themselves  to  be  led  from  the  truth,  and 
begin  to  set  their  feet  upon  the  broad  way,  and  bow  their  hearts, 
again  to  covetousness,  pride,  haughtiness,  &c.,  entertain  inordi- 
nate affections  for  the  property  of  their  neighbors,  become  cold 


398  EXCOJIMUKICATIOK. 

and  weak  in  their  faith,  dislike  the  truth  and  err  grievously  ; 
yet  suppose  that  they  go  upon  the  right  way — such  erring  ones 
we  should  not  suffer  to  be  lost,  but  should  seek  them  with  all 
our  power  and  might,  not  with  one  or  two  admonitions  only,  as 
is  done  with  heretics,  (Tit.  3,)  nor  but  three  times,  as  is  the 
case  with  a  dissension  between  brother  and  brother,  (Matt.  18,) 
but  as  often  as  the  Lord  gives  spirit  and  grace,  till  they  again 
conform  in  all  things  to  the  truth,  depart  from  their  errors,  and 
enter  upon  the  right  way,  or  till  they  become  as  ravening, 
biting  dogs  or  unclean  swine.  Yes,  my  brethren,  whoever  fol- 
lows a  poor,  erring  sinner,  with  the  truth,  and  turns  him  from 
the  way  of  error,  and  brings  him  back  to  Christ's  fold  rescues 
his  soul  from  death,  and  covers  a  multitude  of  sins.  From  whom 
are  they  covered  ?  From  me  or  from  God  ?  Not  from  men, 
but  from  God;  for  it  is  impossible  to  hide  from  men  that  which 
they  see,  and  which  happens  before  them  ;  as  open  adultery, 
murder,  idolatry,  drunkenness.  &c.  Aaron's  idolatry  with  the 
golden  calf,  David's  misconduct  with  Uriah  and  Bathsheba, 
and  Peter's  denial  are  examples.  For  though  they  repented, 
and  their  sins  were  covered  from  the  sight  of  God,  yet  were  they 
set  forth  to  the  whole  world  as  admonitions  and  warnings,  and 
as  examples  of  his  grace  over  all  who  truly  repent;  (Exod.  32  ; 
Deut.  9;  2  Sam.  11,  12;  Matt.  26;  Mark  14;  Luke  22;  John  18;) 
of  this  covering  of  sin  David  spake:  Blessed  is  he  whose  trans- 
gression is  forgiven,  whose  sin  is  covered.  Blessed  is  the  man 
to  whom  the  Lord  imputeth  not  iniquity.     (Ps.  32.) 

I  will  now  leave  to  the  godly  for  reflection,  whether  or  not 
these  words  of  James,  as  here  expounded,  are  not  salutary;  for 
those  worthy  of  exclusion  would  be  excluded,  the  erring  be 
sought,  love  would  exert  its  full  power,  the  penitent  would  be 
rescued  from  death.  Both  their  open  and  secret  sins  would  be 
covered  before  God,  and  all  would  proceed  according  to  the 
scriptures.  In  true  love  observe  what  is  the  mind  of  the  holy 
word. 

XI.  How  the  latter  part  of  the  twelfth,  and  the  heginiimg  of 
the  thirteenth  chapter  of  the  second  epistle  to  the  Corinthians,  are 
to  he  understood. 

We  find  by  Paul's  epistle  to  the  Corinthians,  that  there  were 
many  parties  and  sects  among  that  people.  Some  boasted 
that  they  were  of  Cephas,  others  of  Paul,  and  others  again, 
of  Apollo.  On  this  account,  Paul  reproved  them  in  love,  and 
admonished  them  to  be  one  in  Christ.  (1  Cor.  1,  3.)  He  writes 
also  in  the  eleventh  chapter  of  the  same  epistle:  When  ye  come 
together  in  the  church,  I  hear  that  there  be  divisions  among 
you,  and  I  partly  believe  it,  for  there  must  be  also  heresies 


EXCOMMUNICATION.  399 

among  you,  that  they  which  are  approved  may  be  made  mani- 
fest among  you.  There  were  also  some  among  you  who  said 
there  was  no  resurrection,  (1  Cor.  15,)  therefore,  he  also  feared 
(3  Cor.  12)  if  he  came,  that  he  would  not  find  them  as  he  de- 
sired, lest  more  dissension  than  union,  more  malice  than  love, 
more  wrath  than  meekness,  more  strife  than  peace,  more  whis- 
pering than  rebuking  of  wickedness,  more  pride  than  humility, 
more  tumult  than  quiet,  should  be  found  among  many.  Such 
is  commonly  the  condition  where  the  high  and  proud  of  heart, 
who  neither  know  nor  love  the  peaceful,  humble  spirit  of  Christ, 
move  in  high  esteem,  and  attain  authority  over  the  plain, 
simple  people.  They  regard  the  adornment  of  words  more  than 
spirit  and  power.  This  I  write  in  upright,  undissembled  love, 
without  regard  to  party.  God  grant  us  grace  to  enable  us  to 
perceive  it. 

Again,  we  find  that  the  impenitent,  self-seekers,  covetous 
and  contentious,  (1  Cor.  6,)  incontinent,  unchaste,  &c.,  (3  Cor. 
1-3,)  were  among  them.  Therefore  he  feared  that  when  he 
came,  he  should  have  great  sorrow  on  account  of  those  who 
repented  not  of  their  iniquity.  For  it  is  manifest  that  lewdness 
at  that  time  among  the  gentiles  was  so  common  that  the  holy 
apostles  admonished  and  counselled  the  brethren  among  the 
heathen,  in  a  common  counsel:  as  may  be  seen  from  Acts  15; 
Rom.  1;  1  Cor.  5,  6,  7;  Gal.  5;  Eph.  5;  Col.  3;  1  Thes.  4. 

Some  so  lightly  regarded  the  lewdness  and  dissensions  of  the 
time,  that  they  looked  not  upon  apostolic  doctrine  of  excom- 
munication as  sincere.  This  may  be  seen  from  Paul's  own 
words,  to  wit:    Ye  are  puffed  up,  &c.    (1  Cor.  5.) 

Through  their  heedless  disobedience,  they  permitted  the 
good  and  evil  to  exist  among  them,  so  that  the  faithful  man  of 
God  upbraided  them  sharply,  saying:  This  is  the  third  time  I 
*am  coming  to  you.  In  the  mouth  of  two  or  three  witnesses 
shall  all  things  be  established,  I  told  you  before,  and  foretell 
you  as  if  I  were  present,  the  second  time;  and  being  absent 
now,  I  \NTite  to  them  which  heretofore  have  sinned,  and  to  all 
others,  that  if  I  come  again,  I  will  not  spare.  (3  Cor.  13.^ 
These  hard  words  of  Paul  testify  clearly  that  in  that  time, 
although  such  wicked  persons  were  held  in  communion,  yet 
they  did  not  regard  his  writings  concerning  the  Ban;  for  it  is 
plain  if  the  historian  rightly  testifies,  that  some  years  had 
passed  away  before  Paul  made  his  last  journey  to  them,  and  it 
is  against  all  scripture  and  reason  to  suppose  that  they,  in  the 
mean  time,  admitted  these  persons  with  Paul's  consent.  It  is 
plain  and  manifest  that  he  rebuked  all  iniquity  both  with  word 
and  writing,  (Cor.  5,)  and  directed  to  the  Ban,  as  had  been 
related,  yet  the  foul  leaven  which  was  against  the  holy  divine 
word,  and  which  disgraced  the  church,  they  did  not  put  away. 


400  EXCOMMUNICATION. 

He  wrote  and  expressed  his  meaning  by  these  words,  that  all 
those  who  oftentimes  had  sinned  and  had  not  repented,  and 
those  who  sinned  more  recently,  that  if  he  would  come  the 
second  time,  that  if  he  should  find  one  or  the  other,  testified 
to  by  two  or  three  witnesses  that  they  had  been  guilty  of 
ungodliness,  that  he  would  not  then  spare  him.  (2  Cor.  13.) 
Observe  this. 

It  is  also  manifest  that  he  did  not  write  this  rebuke  privately 
to  this  one  or  that  one,  but  he  wrote  openly  to  a  whole  church, 
in  a  common  epistle,  that>^the  disobedient  might  be  rebuked,  as 
we  ourselves  (unworthy)  at  times  write,  and  teach  the  word  of 
the  Lord.  There  is  not  a  syllable  which  tells  us  to  admonish 
such  one  twice  or  thrice,  but  to  reprove  them  in  round  terms, 
that  if  he  came,  that  he  would  make  known  to  them  their 
merited  punishment.  His  words  are  firm  and  immovable: 
That  we  shall  not  eat,  or  have  fellowship  with  fornicators,  &c. 
O  !  reflect  upon  what  the  scriptures  say.     (1  Cor.  6.) 

XII.  It  is  our  duty  to  pass  Chrisfs  sentence  and  judgment 
without  blame  according  to  the  scriptures^  and  to  make  use  of  his 
keys  in  a  proper  manner. 

Chosen  brethren  in  the  Lord,  forasmuch,  then,  as  I  have  seen 
in  my  day  much  ignorance  and  misapprehension  displayed  by 
many  in  regard  to  this  point,  some  of  whom,  fin  my  humble 
opinion, )  were  too  rigorous  and  severe,  while  others  were  too 
lenient  and  remiss,  in  consequence  of  which  some  of  our  mem- 
bers have  been  affected,  alas  !  with  no  little  sorrow.  And  as  I 
have  now  faithfully  explained  the  ti-ue  ajiostolic  Excommunica- 
tion in  pure,  unadulterated  love  without  partiality,  therefore,  I 
am  further  impelled  by  the  same  love  to  offer  a  few  remarks 
upon  the  keys  and  their  appertinent  use,  ( inasmuch  as  they  per- 
tain to.tlie  excommunication, )  so  that  no  one  misled  by  ignorance 
may  with  Antichrist  presumptuously  place  himself  in  Christ's 
seat, nor  follow  and  execute  his  ownjudgment, design  and  resolu- 
tion, but  those  of  Christ,  his  Lord,  and  the  doctrine,  ordinance 
and  commandment  of  the  holy  apostles,  without  any  regard  to 
the  flesh,  party,  or  self-wisdom,  lest  he  should  reject  him  whom 
God  saves  by  his  grace,  and  retain  him  whom  he  in  his  right- 
eousness rejects;  for,  to  him  alone  pertains  the  right  of  bin(£ng 
and  loosing,  as  we  shall  hear  more  fully  in  the  sequel.  There- 
fore, consider  our  advice. 

It  is  to  be  observed,  in  the  first  place,  that  there  are  two 
heavenly  keys,  namely,  the  key  of  binding,  and  the  key  of  loos- 
ing; even  as  the  Lord  said  to  Peter  :  /  will  give  thee  the  key  of 
the  kingdom  of  heaven:  and  whatsoever  thou  shalt  bind  on  eartlij 
shall  be  bound  in  heaven;  and  whatsoever  thou  shalt  loose  on 


EXCOMMUNICATION.  401 

earthy  shall  be  loosed  m  heaven.  (Matt.  16.)  At  another  time,  and 
after  his  resurrection  from  the  dead,  he  spoke  in  a  similar  man- 
ner to  his  disciples:  Eecewe  ye  the  Holy  Ghost.  Whoseever  sins 
ye  rtmit,  they  are  remitted  unto  them;  and  whosoever  sins  ye 
retain,  they  are  retained.    (John  20.) 

In  the  second  place,  we  must  observe  that  the  key  of  bind- 
ing is  nothing  else  than  the  word  of  God's  righteousness,  the 
directing,  demanding,  constraining,  terrifying  and  condemning 
law  of  the  Lord,  by  and  through  which  all  are  locked  up  under 
the  curse,  sin,  death  and  the  wrath  of  God,  who  do  not  by  faith 
receive  Christ,  the  only  and  eternal  means  of  grace,  hear  his 
voice,  and  follow  and  obey  his  will.  (Acts  4;  Mark  16;  John  3.) 

Again  :  on  the  other  hand,  the  key  of  loosing  is  the  abun- 
dantly cheering  and  delightful  word  of  grace,  the  pardoning, 
consoling  and  unbinding  gospel  of  peace,  by  and  through  which 
all  those  are  delivered  from  the  curse,  sin,  death  and  the  wrath 
of  God,  who,  with  regenerated,  new,  converted,  voluntary,  re- 
joicing and  believing  hearts,  receive  Christ  in  power  and  with 
a  firm  confidence  in  l)is  innocent  blood  and  death,  fear,  love, 
hear,  follow  and  obey  him,  (Deut.  18;  Acts  3,  7;  Mark  16; 
John  3,  6,  7,  and  many  other  chapters. ) 

In  the  third  place,  it  is  to  be  observed  that  this  binding  key 
of  Christ  is  given  to  his  ministers  and  people  for  this  purpose, 
namely,  that  by  and  through  it  they  shall,  in  the  power  of  the 
Spirit,  represent  unto  all  earthly,  carnal,  obdurate  and  impeni- 
tent persons,  their  great  sins,  unrighteousness,  blindness  and 
wickedness,  together  with  God's  righteous  wrath,  judgment, 
punishment,  hell  and  everlasting  death,  and  thus  render  them 
contrite,  dismayed,  humble,  broken,  penitent,  dejected  and 
sorrowful  of  heart  before  God,  and  little  in  their  own  eyes. 
Wherefore,  it  is  compared  in  its  power  and  virtues  to  the  rod  of 
the  oppressor,  (Isa.  9, )  a  hard  hammer,  ( Jer.  23, )  the  north 
wind,  (Cant.  4,)  a  sorrowful  singing,  (Matt.  1,)  and  sharp  de- 
tergent wine .  ( Luke  10.) 

Again:  On  the  contrary,  the  key  of  loosing  is  given  to  the 
end  that  with  it  the  ministers  and  people  of  God  may  direct 
such  contrite,  troubled,  dejected,  sorrowful  and  broken  hearts, 
as  aforementioned,  which  are  enabled,  by  the  first  key,  to  feel 
and  see  the  deep,  mortal  wounds,  their  great  defects  and  the 
profound  fascination  in  which  they  were  held  to  the  spiritual, 
brazen  serpent,  (Num.  21,  John  3,)  to  the  throne  of  grace, 
(Rom.  3,)  to  the  open  fountain  of  David,  (Zach  13,)  to  the 
merciful,  compassionate  high  priest,  our  only  and  eternal  offer- 
ing of  reconciliation,  Christ  Jesus,  (Heb.  4,  5,  6,  7,  8,  9, 10, 13,) 
aiid  thus  heal  their  dangerous,  malignant  and  deadly  abscesses, 
stripes  and  the  venomous  wound  of  the  infernal  serpent.  It  is, 
therefore,  likened  in  strength  and  virtues  to  the  cheering  olive- 


403  EXCOMMUKICATIO^^ 

branch  of  Noah's  dove,  (Gen.  8,)  the  bahn  of  Gilead,  (Jpr.  8,) 
the  voice  of  truth,  (Cant.  3,)  the  south  wind,  (Cant.  4,)  the 
joyful  pipe,  (Matt.  11,)  and  sweet,  soothing  oil.  (Luke  10; 
James  5.) 

In  the  fourth  place,  it  must  be  observed  that  these  keys  are 
given  us  from  heaven,  by  him  who  created  heaven,  earth  and 
the  sea  with  the  fulness  thereof,  the  Almighty  Father's  eternal 
power,  word  and  wisdom,  (John  1  ;  Col.  1  ;  Heb.  1,)  the  King 
of  all  glory,  our  only  and  eternal  Redeemer,  Intercessor,  Bride- 
groom, Prophet  and  Teacher,  Christ  Jesus.  (Matt.  16;  John 
20.)  We  may,  therefore,  with  the  greatest  propriety,  take  heed 
in  this  part  of  the  Ban,  with  fear  and  trembling,  that  we  do 
not  conduct  ourselves  in  it  as  if  under  the  influence  of  flesh  and 
blood,  hatred  or  love,  favor  or  disfavor,  enmity  or  friendship, 
strife,  dissension  or  partiality;  but  that  Avith  a  good  and  up- 
right conscience,  without  respect  of  persons,  we  execute  it 
aright  in  the  perfect  fear  of  God  as  the  proper,  earnest  and 
heavenly  command,  word,  and  will  of  our  Saviour.  For  with- 
out doubt  they  are  precious  keys  since  they  are  given  us  from 
heaven,  as  a  present  from  so  illustrious  a  friend.  Ah  !  suffer 
yourselves  to  be  told. 

In  the  fifth  place,  it  is  to  be  observed  that  these  keys  are 
given  to,  and  bestowed  upon  none  but  those  who  p,re  anointed 
of  the  Holy  Ghost,  even  as  Christ  says  :  Receive  ye  the  Holy 
Ghost,  &c.  (John  20.)  From  this  it  is  more  than  evident  that 
they  must  be  a  believing,  true,  penitent,  sober,  chaste,  humble, 
upright,  friendly,  obedient,  devout,  peaceful,  and  sph'itual  peo- 
])le;  (observe)  a  people  dead  unto  sin,  a  regenerated  people, 
who  sit  with  the  apostles  in  the  seat  of  righteousness,  (Matt. 
19,)  and  pronounce  with  them  the  Lord's  righteous  judgment 
against  all  stiff-necked,  ungodly  sinners,  and  teach,  admonish, 
chastise,  punish,  and,  in  real  power,  judge  or  bind  with  the 
Lord's  word  and  spirit,  the  unbelieving,  impenitent,  earthly- 
minded,  drunken,  adulterous,  lecherous,  unchaste,  proud, 
haughty  unrighteous,  perverse,  disobedient,  quarrelsome,  sen- 
sual sinners.  For  it  is  more  than  evident  that  a  carnal  man 
cannot  understand  the  things  of  the  spirit  of  God;  but  they  that 
are  spiritual  examine  all  things  aright,  judge  all  things  aright, 
yet  they  themselves  are  judged  of  no  man.  (1  Cor.  2.)  Yes, 
ray  brethren,  it  is  utterly  impossible  for  one  carnal-minded 
man,  or  for  one  quarrelsome  person,  to  teach,  instruct  or 
chasten  another  rightly  through  the  spirit  of  Christ,  or  in  the 
power  of  his  word  rightly  to  separate  him  from  his  communi- 
nity  according  to  the  will  of  God.  For  their  fruits  plainly 
testify  that  they  are  both  one  as  well  as  the  other,  impenitent, 
destitute  of  the  spirit,  nature,  and  disposition  of  Christ,  and 
subject  to  death  and  the  curse. 


EXCOMMUKICAtIO^^  403 

Therefore,  fear  God,  and  know  how  or  what  you  judge.  If  a 
man  was  to  put  the  law  in  force  against  a  person  obnoxious  to 
excommunication,  as  a  whoremonger,  drunkard,  or  one  guilty 
of  any  other  carnal  abominations,  while  he  himself  was  full  of 
hatred,  avaricious,  proud,  haughty,  uplifted,  ambitious,  choleric, 
unchaste,  lying,  quan-elsome,  impure,  envious  or  false  hearted, 
secretly  committing  evil,  he  does  nothing  else  according  to 
Paul's  doctrine,  than  pass  judgment  upon  his  own  soul,  for  he 
says:  Thou  art  inexcusable,  0  man,  whosoever  thou  art  that 
judgest :  for  lolierein  tliou  judgest  another  thou  condemnest 
thyself.     (Rom.  2.) 

I  therefore,  counsel  and  admonish  all  the  pious  generally, 
who  sit  in  judgment  upon  a  sinner  that  is  tD  be  excommunica- 
ted, that  they  previously  examine  well  their  own  conscience, 
heart  and  mind,  and  see  whether  or  not  they  have  the  spirit  of 
Christ,  whether  or  not  they  sit  in  the  apostles'  seat,  and  also 
whether  they  do  it  out  of  pure  fear  of  God,  in  obedience  to  his 
word,  and  out  of  sincere  love  to  the  brethren  or  out  of  flesh  and 
blood  through  the  hypocrisy,  to  their  will  of  men.  For  if  they 
have  not  the  spirit  of  Christ,  do  not  sit  in  the  apostles'  seat  and 
carry  the  keys  of  heaven,  their  judgment  can  not  be  of  God, 
and  will  tear  down  more  than  build  up.  It  is  even  in  reality 
nothing  but  a  sore  judgment  against  their  own  souls.  But  if 
they  have  the  spirit  of  Christ,  sit  in  the  apostles'  seat  and  make 
use  of  the  keys  of  heaven,  their  judgment  will  doubtless  bo 
righteous,  will  agree  as  the  judgment  of  Christ,  and  they  will 
by  no  means  make  themselves  guilty  in  passing  judgment 
against  the  transgressor.  Those,  who^are  born  of  Christ,  may 
judge  what  I  advance. 

In  the  sixth  place,  it  is  to  be  observed  that  these  keys  must 
not  be  made  use  of  except  in  the  name  of  Him  who  committed 
them  to  us,  and  by  his  power,  that  is  with  his  spirit  and  word, 
(1  Cor.  5,)  for  He  alone  is  the  king  and  prince  of  his  community, 
the  shepherd,  teacher  and  master  of  our  souls,  before  whose 
sceptre  we  must  all  bow,  and  hear  his  voice.  (Deut.  18  ;  Acts 
3,  7;  John  8,  10,)  if  we  would  wish|to  be^saved,  as  has  been 
heard. 

Since  then  he  is  both  the  ruler  and  the  giver  of  this,  and 
both  the  binding  and  loosing  are  in  his  hand,  and  must  there- 
fore be  done  in  his  name  with  his  spirit  and  word  alone,  as  re- 
lated, we  may  well  take  heed|lest^througli^our  profaneness,  in- 
clination or  foolish  purpose,  we  loose  those  whom  he  himself 
has  bound  in  heaven,  or  bind  those  whom  he  himself  has  loosed 
in  heaven,  even  as  the  son  of  perdition  and  the  man  of  sin  to- 
gether with  all  his  deceiving  and  impure  prophets  have  done 
for  thousands  of  years,  O  God  ! 

As  far  as  concerns  the  key  of  binding  of  this  evangelic  Ban, 


404  EXCOMMUNICATION, 

it  is  more  than  clear  that  w^hen  an  open  fornicator  or  adulterer 
is  convinced  by  two  or  three  witnesses,  (2  Cor.  13,)  or  an  abuser 
of  himself  with  mankind,  or  an  idolator,  or  a  drunkard,  or  en- 
vier,  or  a  perverse  self-willed  disputer,  or  an  impenitent,  fro- 
ward,  lazy,  a  fastidious  idle,  glutton,  or  a  blasphemer,  thief, 
robber  or  murderer,  &c. ,  is  brought  before  the  community, 
they  have  the  judging  word  of  the  scriptures,  by  which  they 
may  separate  and  exclude  him,  and  announce  to  him  by  the 
spirit  of  Christ,  that  he  is  no  longer  a  member  of  Christ's 
body,  has  no  more  promise,  but  that  he  shall  endiu-e  everlast- 
ing death,  and  fail  of  the  kingdom  of  grace:  In  short,  that  his 
final  pai*t  and  lot,  (unless^he  sincerely  repents, )  shall  be  the 
burning  lake  of  fire,  hell  and  the  devil.  (Matt.  3,  25;  Rom.  1; 
1  Cor.  6;  Gal.  5;  Eph.  5;  2  Thess.  1;  Rev.  21,  22.)  For  his  works 
show  plainly  that  he  is  of  the  wicked  one;  (John  8;  1  John  3.) 

Behold,  such  are  those  over  whom  the  first  key  has  power. 
For  God's  righteous  judgment  and  his  firm  binding,  take  hold 
of  them,  since  they  again  forsake  Christ,  despise  his  holy  word 
and  covenant,  live  according  to  the  flesh,  stir  up  strife  and  dis- 
sension, break  the  bond  of  love,  separate  the  pious,  disquiet 
those  of  a  gentle,  peaceable  disposition,  introduce  and  establish 
offences  and  slanderers,  as  the  evident  fact  has  frequently 
taught  and  as  is  known  to  many  others,  alas!  as  well  as  to  my- 
self. Ah  me!  what  a  severe  stroke  he  receives  who  is  bound 
by  God's  people  with  this  dreadful  key  and  punished  by  his 
righteous  spirit  with  this  dreadful  curse.  O  Father  grant  them 
thy  grace. 

The  same  thing  applies  to  the  key  of  loosing  in  this  use  of 
the  Ban.  For  if  a  poor,  proscribed  sinner  humble  himself 
again  before  his  God,  heart  broken  and  penitent,  groans  and 
weeps  bitterly,  experiences  heartfelt  sorrow  for  his  sins  and  an 
earnest  longing  for  the  truth,  hates  perverse  paths  of  the  un- 
godly and  walks  again  in  the  path  of  the  pious.  In  short,  con- 
ducts himself  so  in  his  whole  life,  that  we  cannot  perceive  any 
thing  in  him  but  that  the  Lord's  spirit  has  again  annointed 
him,  and  received  him  into  his  grace,  and  would  have  him  in- 
cluded in  the  number  of  the  Lord's  people  ;  they  have  then  the 
cheering  word  of  promise,  by  which  they  may  again  bring  him 
to  the  altar  of  the  Lord,  sprinkle  him  with  the  spiritual  keys 
of  God,  announce  to  him  Christ's  grace,  and  receive  him  again 
as  a  beloved  brother  in  Christ  Jesus  and  greet  him  with  the 
salutation  of  his  holy  peace.  For,  says  the  prophet:  the  Lord 
has  no  pleasure  in  the  death  of  the  sinner,  but  that  he  repent 
and  live.    (Ezek.  8.) 

Forasmuch  as  it  is  manifest  and  established  that  Jesus 
Christ  alone  has  the  key  of  David  (Isa.  22;  Rev.  3,)  who  un- 
locks heaven  for  the  true  penitent,  unties  the  knot  of  unrjght- 


EXCOMMUNICATION..  405 

eousness,  looseusand  forgives  and  remits  their  sins.  And  again, 
it  is  he  who  closes  heaven  against  the  impenitent,  carnal  sin- 
ners, binds  them  under  his  judgment  and  retains  their  sins,  and 
we  are  nothing  more  than  heralds,  ministers  and  messengers  in 
his  name,  and  can  make  it  neither  longer  nor  shorter,  narrower 
nor  wider  that  taught  us  by  his  spirit,  and  commanded  us 
in  his  word,  as  heard.  So  also  is  it  thereby  more  than  evident, 
tliat  they  greatly  err,  who  in  the  pride  of  their  ignorance  suffer 
themselves  to  think  that  they  have  power  to  retain  or  remit  any 
man's  sins,  or  who  with  perverse,  inconsiderate  minds  dare 
separate  or  excommunicate  any  one  out  of  carnal  motives,  ha- 
tred or  bitterness,  and  not  purely  and  solely  through  the  spirit 
and  word  of  Christ;  or  on  the  other  hand,  retain  him  through 
natural  affection,  friendship  or  partiality,  contrary  to  the  word 
of  God  and  comfort  him  at  a  venture  in  his  sins,  winking  at 
them;  for  with  such  after  the  example  of  the  false  prophets, 
they  strengthen  the  hands  of  the  ungodly  since  they  retain 
them,  appear  to  adjugS  their  life,  though  without  true  repent- 
ance they  shall  not  live.     (Ezek.  13.)  Ah  !  brethren  beware. 

I  would,  therefore,  brethren  and  sisters,  in  the  love  of  Christ, 
have  you  all  faithfully  admonished  in  God,  that  no  one  attempt 
in  this  weighty,  important  and  spiritual  matter,  to  act  higher 
or  lower,  severer  or  milder  than  the  word  and  spirit  require, 
whether  it  be  with  the  binding  of  the  first  key  in  righteousness 
unto  eternal  death,  or  with  the  loosing  of  the  second  key  in 
grace  unto  eternal  life;  lest,  by  passing  an  unscriptural  judg- 
ment, he  offend  against  God  and  his  neighbor,  and  so  be  con- 
strained to  undergo  the  punishment  of  this  pride,  along  with 
the  angel  of  the  bottomless  pit.     Observe  tliis! 

Ah  !  most  beloved  brethren,  to  what  an  amazing  extent  in 
my  opinion  is  that  man  taught  of  God,  who  is  able  in  this  thing 
so  to  keep  the  true  royal  highway,  that  he  can  properly  employ 
the  intrusted  keys  in  devout,  heavenly  wisdom,  and  correctly 
pass  and  impose  his  Lord's  judgment  with  a  sure,  sealed  con- 
science in  true  apostolic  measure,  to  the  edification  of  all  the 
pious.  Let  all  who  are  born  of  God,  who  are  impartial  and 
pure  in  heart,  reflect,  with  the  unction  of  their  spirit,  upon  the 
grounds  of  my  writing  and  admonition. 


406  Excommunication. 

CONCLUSION  AND  EXHOKTATION  TO  ALL 
THE  PIOUS. 

Beloved  brethren,  with  much  trouble,  pains  and  anxiety,  I 
have  now,  in  the  infirmity  of  my  declining  years,  added  another 
small  gift  to  the  Lord's  treasury,  not  of  the  price  of  a  dog,  nor 
of  the  hire  of  a  harlot,  which  was  forbidden  to  Israel ;  but  of 
the  abundant  benediction  of  my  God,  namely,  from  the  settled 
principles  of  his  truth.  Though  it  is  not  to  be  compared  in 
value  or  worth  with  the  gold,  silver,  metal,  silk,  or  precious 
stones  of  the  offering,  yet,  if  it  be  reckoned  with  the  rams' 
skins,  goats'  hair,  and  shittim  wood,  I  have  attained  my  wish. 
For  my  prayer  and  desire  before  God  and  his  community,  is, 
that  the  living  building  of  the  heavenly  tabernacles  may  ad- 
vance with  the  greatest  speed  to  the  attainment  of  their  in- 
tended splendor  and  magnifltence.  For  this  cause,  I  have  suf- 
fered not  a  little  hardship,  affliction,  sadness,  poverty  and  re- 
proach, so  that  I  hope  I  may  boast  in  my  weakness  with  all 
the  pious  of  God,  apostles  and  prophets,  nay,  with  Christ  Jesus 
himself,  that  the  zeal  of  the  Lord's  house  hath  eaten  me  up. 
(Ps.  69;  John  2.) 

I  would,  therefore,  earnestly  desire  all  the  pious  (who,  with 
a  pure,  unadulterated,  conscience,  have  drunk  the  water  of  love 
at  the  foundation  of  God.)  that  they  do  not  despise  this  gift, 
but  that,  with  candid  and  discerning  minds,  they  examine,  as 
in  the  presence  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus,  the  nature,  principles, 
vigor,  cogency  and  virtuous  tendency;  and  having  thus  passed 
a  sound,  impartial  judgment  upon  it,  that  you  leave  it  unbroken 
in  all  its  parts.  For  it  is  my  valedictory  which  I  now  offer,  as 
I  take  my  leave  of  you  all  in  this  part  of  the  Ban,  and  retire  to 
rest. 

In  this  I  have  not  sought  the  acquirement  of  human  favor  or 
honor,  the  indulgence  of  the  flesh,  or  the  promotion  of  party 
purposes,  but  I  have  illustrated  the  principles  of  truth,  con- 
firmed the  holy  ordinance  of  the  apostles,  rendered  due  praise 
to  the  justice  and  mercy  of  God,  assigning  to  each  its  part, 
have  added  nothing  new,  nor  varied  in  the  least  from  its  princi- 
ples of  my  plan,  except  that  in  consequence  of  much  conversa- 
tion with  the  pious  and  meditation  upon  certain  writings,  as 
also  on  account  of  great  dangers,  actual  occurrences  and 
heinous  abominations,  and  in  order  to  put  a  j^stop  in  some 
measure  to  all  offensive,  disgraceful  actions,  I  have  more  deeply 
considered  the  excluding  sentence  of  the  flagrant,  sensual, 
sinner,  and,  in  this  way,  placed  it  upon  a  more  certain  basis, 
as  may  be  seen. 


EXCOMMUNICATIOK.  407 

We  are  well  convinced  that  the  depth  of  satan  is  to  some  but 
impartially  known  and  manifest,  and  as  a  consequence  that  he 
does  great  injury,  by  means  of  his  subtle,  pernicious  wrangling 
and  disputation,  as  may  be  seen;,  therefore,  my  fii-st  earnest 
request  unto  all,  who  are  named  after  the  name  of  Christ,  is, 
that  they  would  reflect  soberly,  judiciously  and  discreetly  upon 
the  nature,  character,  heart,  mind,  spirit  and  disposition  of 
Christ,  and  consider  that  all  which  he  has  commanded,  left  and 
taught  his  followers,  is  nothing  but  pure  righteousness,  truth, 
patience,  love  and  peace.  Also,  that  they  bow  their  knees 
before  him,  and  have  received  the  token  of  his  most  holy  cove- 
nant, that  they  should  bury  their  former  sinful  life  in  his  death, 
circumcise  their  hearts  with  his  sharp  word  and  spirit,  follow^ 
him,  walk  in  all  his  ways,  and  be  one  with  him  in  both  the 
inward  and  the  outward  man,  as  taught  in  scripture,  (Rom.  6; 
Col.  2,)  also,  that  they  reflect  upon  the  high  promise,  and 
follow  his  word  and  will,  in  power  and  in  truth.  For  he  is 
such  a  God,  that  he  does  not  take  pleasure  in  outward  shadows, 
ceremonies,  types,  bread,  wine,  water,  nominal  service,  but  in 
spirit,  deed  and  truth.     (2  Cor.  1;  Eph.  4;  Col.  2.) 

My  second  request  is,  that  they  would  on  the  other  hand, 
consider  the  nature,  character,  hea.rt,  spirit,  mind,  and  work 
of  satan,  that  he  is  from  the  beginning  a  shrewd,  cunning, 
deceiver,  an  impudent,  w^anton  liar,  and  a  revengeful  mur- 
derer, (John  8,)  a  malicious  envier  of  God's  honor  and  truth;  a 
falsifier  of  his  holy  word,  and  a  deadly  enemy  of  pious  souls, 
seditious,  factious,  unruly,  schismatic,  envious,  perverse,  and 
destitute  of  love,  incapable  of  conceiving  and  bringing  forth 
any  thing  but  hatred,  backbiting,  lies,  deception,  jealousy, 
impure  hearts,  vice  and  shame,  and  all  in  semblance  of  the 
truth.  In  semblance  of  the  truth,  I  repeat,  for  although  he  is 
the  infernal  satan,  Beelzebub,  Belial,  Behemoth,  Leviathan,  the 
Angel  of  the  bottomless  pit,  the  Prince  of  darkness,  the  old 
serpent,  and  the  very  devil  himself,  yet  it  is  manifest  notwith- 
standing, that  he  has  the  power  of  transforming  himself  into 
an  angel  of  light,  as  Paul  informs  us.     (2  Cor.  11.  j 

There  is  nothing  of  an  external  nature  oppressive  or  vexa- 
tious to  him,  if  he  can  only  gain  possession  of  the  citadel  of  our 
heart,  and  expel  therefrom,  Christ's  nature,  disposition,  spirit 
and  power;  if  he  can  do  this  he  has  already  won  the  prize  of 
his  craftiness,  yea,  if  a  man  was  even  baptized  by  Peter  or  Paul 
himself,  had  received  the  bread  of  the  holy  supper  from  the 
Lord's  own  hand,  would  nevermore  take  part  in  papistic  idola- 
try, yet  if  he  retained  but  one  of  the  fruits  of  the  devil,  whether 
hatred,  or  party  spirit,  envy  or  bitterness,  avarice  or  revenge- 
fulness,  pride  or  incontinence,  or  any  other  vice,  we  must 
declare  with  the  scripture  that  his  spirit  is  devilish,  and  his  life 


408  JEXCOMMUNICATION. 

hypocrisy.  (Gal.  5;  1  John  3.)  For  it  is  more  than  evideufc 
that  the  whole  man  must  be  regenerated,  sincere,  unsophisti- 
cated, spiritually  mmded,  godly,  holy,  devout,  united  and  subject 
to  Christ;  as  James  says:  Whosoever  shall  keep  the  whole  law 
and  yet  offend  in  one  point,  he  is  guilty  of  all.     (James  3.) 

Yes,  worthy  brethren,  they  who  are  so  far  taught  of  God, 
that  they  are  able,  well  and  truly  to  distinguish  between  Christ 
and  the  devil,  in  relation  to  their  nature,  disposition,  doctrine, 
and  works,  and  thereby  perceive  that  Christ's  disposition  is 
productive  of  life,  the  devil's  disposition  productive  of  death, 
shall,  and  will  undoubtedly,  separate  and  depart  entirely,  from 
all  vain  and  unprofitable  disputation,  schism,  separation,  divi- 
sion, contention,  dissension,  sedition,  and  sectarianism,  and 
also  from  all  deadly  abominations,  sins,  and  shameful  actions: 
of  this  I  am  fully  convinced  by  the  grace  of  God. 

My  third  request  is,  that  they  would  all  with  candor  and  sin- 
cerity of  heart,  meditate  upon  the  glorious  and  illustrious  names 
with  wliich  they  are  honored  in  the  scriptures,  namely:  Children 
of  God,  saints  and  beloved  of  God,  chosen  of  God,  regenerated 
seed  and  children  of  Abraham,  seed  of  peace,  plants  and  scions 
of  righteousness,  fruitful  grafts  of  Christ,  members  of  Christ's 
body,  his  flesh  and  bone,  Christ's  mothers,  sisters,  brothers, 
disciples,  guests,  friends,  sons,  daughters,  maiden,  virgin,  bride 
and  spouse,  His  holy  vineyard,  camp,  city,  Jerusalem,  temple, 
ark,  house,  abode,  chosen  people,  citizens  of  heaven,  living 
stones,  companions  of  the  saints,  apostles  and  prophets,  house- 
hold of  God,  kings  and  priests,  doves,  sheep.  The  light  of  the 
world  and  the  salt  of  the  earth,  &c.  (John  1;  Col.  3;  1  John 
3;  Rom.  9;  Qui.  3;  Job  15;  Eph,  5;  Matt.  12;  Mark  3;  Luke  8; 
Matt.  32;  Luke  14;  Rev.  19;  Isa.  5;  Rev.  21;  1  Pet.  2;  Eph.  3; 
Matt.  5,  10.)  To  the  end  that  by  such  meditation,  their 
conduct  inwardly  and  outwardly,  privately  and  publicly  may  be 
such  in  all  their  ways,  words,  and  works,  before  God,  in  the 
presence  of  the  church,  and  before  the  whole  world  that  they 
may  by  grace,  with  all  the  pious,  walk  worthy  of  all  such  glo- 
rious names,  in  all  love,  peace  and  harmony,  and  by  his  paternal 
bounty  forever  escape  the  severe  curse  of  excommunication, 
aforementioned,  and  not  hear  the  stern  sentence:  Depart 
from  me,  ye  cursed  with  the  goats  to  the  left  hand,  (Matt.  25,) 
but  the  cheering  words:  Come  ye  blessed,  with  the  sheep  to  the 
right  hand,  and  so  not  be  numbered  in  eternity  with  those, 
who  being  bound  by  the  Ban  of  the  word  in  the  power  from 
God,  and  styled  in  scripture,  a  cursed,  ungodly  race,  cursed 
children,  children  of  wrath,  children  of  the  devil,  servants  of 
sin,  servants  of  perdition,  mockers,  revilers,  wicked,  carnal, 
perverse,  unrighteous,  imgodly,  stiff-necked  sinners,  dogs  and 
swine,  for  whom  are  reserved  the  eternal  wo,  death,  fire,  lake 


EXCOMKUNICATION.  409 

and  torment  of  hell.  (2  Pet.  2;  Eph.  1;  John  8;  Matt.  25;  1 
Cor.  6;  Gal.  5;  Rev.  22.) 

My  fourth  request  is,  to  all  those  to  whom  the  charge  of  the 
Lord's  word  is  committed,  who  are  fellow  laborers  with  me  in 
the  ministry,  that  in  all  their  actions,  they  so  conduct  and  ap- 
prove themselves  before  God  and  his  community,  (2  Cor.  6, ) 
that  no  man  can  in  truth  censure  or  speak  evil  of  them,  sincere 
ministers  of  Christ,  faithful  and  sound  in  all  things,  men  full 
of  the  Holy  Ghost,  born  of  the  incorruptible  seed  of  God,  en- 
compassed with  heavenly  light,  transplanted  into  the  good  dis- 
position of  Christ,  partakers  of  his  grace,  taught  and  anointed 
of  God,  having  their  minds  upon  eternal  things,  hating  their 
own  fame,  vain  glory  and  impure  carnal  lusts;  lowly  and  little 
in  their  own  eyes,  of  a  meek  and  gentle  spirit,  compassionate, 
merciful,  paternal,  long-suffering,  friendly,  humble,  chaste, 
given  to  hospitality,  submissive,  (1  Tim.  3,  4;  Tit.  3;)  mild, 
courteous  and  peaceful ;  well  versed  in  the  sound  doctrine ;  seek 
and  act  in  accordance  with  the  good  nature,  disposition,  charac- 
ter, heart,  mind  and  example  of  Christ,  confirmed  in  spirit, 
blameless  shepherds,  taking  oversight  of  the  flock  of  God,  not 
by  constraint,  but  willingly,  not  for  filthy  lucre's  sake,  nor  for 
the  sake  of  their  own  bellies,  but  of  a  ready  mind,  (1  Pet.  5,) 
neither  as  being  lords  or  rulers,  but  being  examples  to  the  com- 
munity of  Christ,  that  in  consequence  of  their  faithful  minis- 
try they  may  run  in  fulness  of  joy  upon  the  mountain  of  the 
Lord  without  fear  or  shame,  and  escape  unharmed  the  mouths 
of  fierce  and  ravenous  wolves. 

Yes,  my  brethren,  if  we  could  all  proceed  according  to  this 
rule  in  unity  of  spirit,  unaccompanied  by  the  destructive  foxes, 
how  soon  would  the  lamb's  bride  shine  forth  in  costly  and  varie- 
gated apparel,  adorned  in  white  and  glittering  robes,  si^lendid 
bracelets,  ear-rings  and  neck-laces,  (understand  the  beauty  and 
ornament  of  her  virtues, )  and  with  the  brilliancy  of  her  appear- 
ance, excite  the  admiration  of  the  whole  world;  whereas,  now, 
in  consequence  of  deceitful  workers,  cunning  wranglers  and 
sowers  of  dissension,  she  must  sit,  at  times,  in  rags  and  tatters, 
and,  oh  God  !  be  the  scorn  and  derision  of  multitudes. 

The  anguish  of  my  soul  is  oft  times  so  great  that  I  am  unable 
to  write;  God  omnipotent,  strengthen  me.  And  this,  because 
I  see  that  the  house  of  the  Lord  has  to  endure  so  many  offences, 
not  only  from  without,  but,  alas !  from  within  also.  O  men  I 
men  !  arm  yourselves  !  for  the  words  of  Paul  are  true,  that  the 
ministry  of  the  New  Testament  is  not  a  ministry  of  the  letter, 
but  of  the  spirit.  (2  Cor.  3.)  Its  duties,  cannot,  therefore,  be 
truly  discharged  to  the  glory  of  God,  by  the  proud,  the  arrogant, 
the  ambitions,  or  the  self-willed,  who  wish  to  perform  every 
thing  after  their  own  mind,  humor  and  inclination,  but  always 

18 


410  EXCOMMUNICATION. 

pull  down  more  than  they  build  up,  and  do  more  injury  than 
they  do  good.  This  is  a  necessary  consequence,  inasmuch  as 
according  to  the  tenor  of  Paul's  doctrine,  this  ministration  is 
not  the  depth  of  wisdom  or  eloquence,  or  a  dead  letter,  (with 
which  they  are  generally! replete,)  but  it  is  God^  spirit,  truth, 
power  and  life,  of  which  they  are  entirely  destitute.  0  take 
heed. 

Arm  yourselves,  I  repeat;  for  true  teachers  are  called  in 
scripture  the  angels  of  the  Lord  and  valiant  soldiers;  be  there- 
fore manly,  keep  the  commandment  of  God;  hold  fast  and 
waver  not.  (Ps.  103.)  They  are  called  watchmen  and  trumpet- 
ers. Blow  your  trumpet  to  the  right  sound.  W^^tch  over  the 
city  of  God,  watch  wisely,  I  say,  and  neither  slumber  nor  sleep. 
(Ezek.  33.)  Spiritual  pillars  they  are  styled.  O  be  steadfast 
in  the  truth;  bear  your  burden  willingly,  waver  not,  neither  be 
faint.  (Exod.  26,  27.)  Messengers  of  peace  they  are  called. 
Ah:  brethren  live  up  to,  and  justify  your  name,  walk  in  peace, 
maintain  and  break  it  not.  (Isa.  52;  Neh.  1.)  They  are 
called  bishops  and  overseers.  O  take  great  care  of  the  flock 
of  Christ;  take  great  care  of  them,  I  say,  and  see  that  you 
neither  destroy  nor  neglect  them.  (1  Tim.  3;  Tit.  1.)  Shepherds 
they  are  called.  O  keep  and  feed  the  lambs  of  Christ,  and 
leave  them  not  to  pine  aw^ay.  (Eph.  4;  Acts  20;  1  Pet.  5.) 
They  arc  styled  teachers.  Make  known  the  word  and  truth  of 
Christ,  publish  it  abroad  and  conceal  it  not.  (Eph.  4. )  They 
are  styled  spiritual  imrses  and  fathers.  O  nourish  and  cherish 
your  young  children;  vex  them  not,  neither  cast  them  away. 
(1  Thes.  2.)  They  should  be  as  the  parent  bird  to  her  young. 
Gather  together  the  young  and  tender  ones  in  Christ,  and 
scatter  them  not,  nor  hurt  them.  (Matt.  23.)  They  are 
called  the  stewards  of  God.  O  perfect  the  mystery  of  the  name, 
abuse  it  not,  nor  disgrace  it.  (2  Cor.  4.)  They  are  called 
the  light  of  the  world.  Shine  and  glitter  in  full  glory,  and 
conceal  not  the  brightness  of  your  virtue.  (Matt.  5.)  They  are 
called  the  salt  of  the  earth.  O  let  the  salt  penetrate  through 
and  through,  and  be  not  ill  savored.  (Matt.  5;  Mark  9;  Luke 
14.)  3Iinisters  in  Christ's  stead.  Ah,  brethren,  serve,  but  rule 
not.  Let  no  man  glory  in  any  gift,  I  beseech  you.  "We  are 
receivers,  not  givers  of  grace,  not  of  ourselves,  observe,  ser- 
vants, and  not  lords.  (1  Cor.  4.)  Ah,  bow  down  and  submit. 
My  chosen  in  love  and  truth,  the  joy  and  delight  of  my  soul, 
so  long  as  you  stand  fast  in  the  Lord,  abide  in  the  way  of  peace 
and  are  faithful  to  your  brethren.  (Eph.  4.)  "Walk  worthy  of 
the  vocation  wherewith  you  are  called;  fear  your  God  with  all 
your  heart;  love  the  brethren;  discharge  faithfully  the  duties 
of  your  ministry;  rich  is  he  who  will  reward  you.  Watch  and 
prav.     CI  Pet.  2;  3  Tim.  4;  Matt.  26.)     Pray,  I  say,  and  that 


EXCOMMUNICATION.  411 

with  confidence,  and  so  the  giver  of  every  good  and  perfect  gift, 
will  not  withdraw  from  you  his  grace,  spirit,  love  and  wisdom. 
(James  1.)  Doubt  not,  neither  be  afraid.  Let  the  glorious 
typified  breastplate  of  Aaron,  (Exod.  28, )  Christ  Jesus,  deco- 
rated with  its  beautiful  colors,  its  twelve  pearls,  its  Urim  and 
Thummim,  be  bound  fast  to  the  breast  of  your  conscience,  with 
the  two  golden  chains  of  the  two  testaments,  and  with  the  two 
blue  laces  of  pure  faith  and  unadulterated  love;  wash  the  feet 
of  your  affections,  purify  them  in  the  spiritual  laver,  Christ 
Jesus,  with  the  living  water  of  his  eternal  and  Holy  Spirit,  take 
of  the  blood  of  his  unspotted  offering,  and  in  a  true  spirit,  put  it 
on  the  tip  of  your  right  ear,  in  order  rightly  to  understand  his 
word,  and  upon  the  thumb  of  your  right  hand,  and  upon  the 
great  toe  of  your  right  foot,  in  order  to  act  and  walk  uprightly 
before  him,  and  in  the  presence  of  his  community.  (Exod.  29, 
30.)  Have  your  spiritual  mitres,  girdles  and  garments  made 
for  glory  and  for  beauty,  that  like  verdant  olive  trees  and  luxu- 
riant vines,  and  as  burning  torches  and  brilliant  luminaries,  in 
the  firmament  of  the  holy  word,  you  may  serve  in  fullness  of 
glory,  with  all  the  faithful  servants  of  Christ,  day  and  night 
in  his  holy  temple,  to  the  glory  of  God  and  to  the  reformation 
of  Israel,  bring  forth  abundance  of  fruit,  and  when  he  shall 
appear  with  all  his  chosen  saints,  apostles  and  prophets,  you 
shall  receive  in  everlasting  joy  the  promised  reward.  Sioeet^ 
gracious  and  full  of  consolation  is  the  word  which  the  Lord 
utters:  Well  done^  thou  good  and  faithful  servant;  thou  hast 
Men  faithful  over  afeio  things,  I  will  make  thee  ruler  over  many; 
enter  thou  into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord.  (Matt.  25.)  Ah,  brethren, 
from  our  hearts,  let  us  he  admonished,  that  we  may  he  faithful 
to  Christ  and  his  community. 

Brethren  and  sisters,  I  will  now  in  the  peace  of  Christ,  com- 
mit you  all  with  one  accord  into  the  hand  of  the  King  of  peace, 
and  I  do  with  Paul  entreat  you  from  my  heart.  (Phil.  2.)  If 
there  be  any  consolation  in  Christ,  if  any  comfort  of  love,  if 
any  fellowship  of  the  spirit,  if  any  bowels  of  mercies,  fulfil  my 
joy,  that  you  be  like  minded  in  the  truth,  having  the  same  love, 
being  of  one  accord,  of  one  mind,  let  nothing  be  done  through 
strife  or  vain  glory;  but  in  lowliness  of  mind,  let  each  esteem 
others  better  than  himself.  For  you  well  know  by  whom  and 
whereunto  we  are  called.  Reflect  upon  this,  so  that  no  one 
may  lose  himself,  on  account  of  other's  shameful  actions,  and 
abominations,  nor  destroy  the  good  works  of  Christ,  disturb  the 
peaceable,  grieve  the  pious,  offend  the  weak,  give  excuse  to  the 
wanton,  drive  the  wavering  again  to  the  world,  bring  reproach 
upon  the  word  of  the  Lord  and  his  community,  bring  revilers 
into  repute,  and  encourage  the  blood-thirsty;  but  t^t  we  be 
cai*eful  in  all  things  to  finish  with  joy  our  course  in  Chrisk 


412  EDUCATION  OF  CHILDREN. 

Jesus,  and  magnify  his  holy  name,  refresh  one  another  in  the 
peace  of  Christ,  strengthen  our  sick,  weak  members,  and  young 
brethren,  reprove  the  disorderly,  publish  abroad  the  truth  of 
the  Lord,  and  show  unto  all  men,  a  blameless.  Christian  exam- 
ple. To  this  end  may  the  eternal  God  of  omnipotence,  grant 
us  all,  collectively  and  individually,  the  active  spirit  of  his 
grace,  with  perfect  obedience  and  love  in  Christ  Jesus,  our  Lord. 
Amen.  Ah,  chosen  children,  God  knows,  this  is  my  final  adieu 
to  you  all.     Love  the  brethren,  and  beware  of  dissension. 


A  PLEASING  AND  EAENEST 

INSTEUCTION  AND  DOCTEINE  HOW  ALL 
PIOUS  PARENTS  ARE  TO  GOVERN,  DI- 
RECT AND  EDUCATE  THEIR  CHILDREN 
IN  A  PIOUS,  VIRTUOUS  AND  GODLY  LIFE. 

The  wise  man  says:  WiWiold  not  correction  from  tliy  cTiild; 
for  if  thou  beatest  Mm  with  the  rod,  he  shall  not  die.  Thou 
shalt  heat  him  with  the  rod,  and  shalt  deliver  his  soul  from  hell. 
(Prov.  23.) 

Correct  and  instruct  thy  son,  and  he  shall  give  thee  rest;  for 
the  rod  and  reproof  give  wisdom;  hut  a  child  left  to  himself, 
hringeth  his  mother  to  shame.     (Prov.  29.) 

Chasten  thy  son  lohile  there  is  hope,  ^x.     (Prov.  19.) 

Other  foundation  can  no  man  lay  than  that  is  laid,  which 
is  Christ  Jesus.     (1  Cor.  3.) 

PREFACE. 

To  the  elders,  in  all  churches,  and  chosen  of  God  in 
Christ  Jesus,  my  beloved  brethren  in  the  Lord,  unto  you 
be  grace,  peace  and  mercy  from  God,  our  Father,  (Rom.  1; 
1  Cor.  1;  Gal.  1;  Eph.  1;  Col.  1;  1  Tlies.  1;  2  Thes.  1;  1  Tim. 
1;  2  Tim.  1;  1  Pet  1,)  through  the  merits  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  in  the  power  and  operation  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  (Tit.  3,) 
which  he  shed  on  us  abundantly,  through  Jesus  Christ,  our 
Saviour:  that  being  justified  by  his  grace,  we  should  be  made 
heirs  according  to  the  hope  of  eternal  life.  To  whom  be  praise 
forever  and  ever.  Amen.  (Acts  15;  Eph.  2;  Tit.  3;  2  Tim.  4.) 

My  dearly  beloved  brethren  in  the  Lord,  we  thank  the  Lord 
always  for  you  in  all  our  prayers,  (2  Tim.  1,)  and  pray  without 


EDUCATION   OF  CHILDREN.  413 

ceasing,  unto  our  kind  Father,  (Luke  18,)  that  he  would 
strengthen  you  with  the  gift  of  his  Holy  Spirit,  that  you  may 
be  filled  with  all  knowledge,  (Eph.  6;  Col,  4;  1  Thes.  5;  3  Tim. 
1;  1  Eph.  6;  Col.  4;  2  Thes,  3,)  wisdom,  discretion  and  power 
necessary  rightly  to  oversee  the  community  of  Christ,  and  to 
dispense  the  word  of  God  to  sincere,  pious  souls,  according  to 
your  gift  and  calling,  and  that  you  may  walk  worthy  of  the 
vocation  wherewith  you  are  called  and  chosen  of  God  and  his 
holy  community,  as  shepherds  and  teachers,  to  the  end  that  the 
saints  may  be  kept  firmly  united  by  the  common  service,  to  the 
edification  of  the  body  of  Christ.  Take  diligent  care  of  your 
charge,  and  display  a  sincere  concern  for  your  flock,  at  all  times 
earnestly  exhort  them  to  love,  to  good  works,  (like  Paul,)  to 
the  pure  fear  and  love  of  the  Lord,  to  a  godly,  unblamable  con- 
versation, in  all  humility,  righteousness,  love,  peace,  harmony, 
mercy,  and  obedience  to  the  whole  word  of  God.  Caution  them 
against  all  false  doctrine,  and  against  the  sword  of  evil  tongues; 
for  if  a  man  bridle  not  his  tongue,  nor  restrain  it,  his  worship  is 
vain  and  unprofitable.  Also,  that  they  take  heed  in  their  whole 
walk  and  conversation,  circumcise  their  hearts,  season  their 
words,  and  do  and  perform  all  their  actions  in  the  fear  of  the 
Lord,  that  they  may  procure  a  good  name  for  the  gospel  of 
Christ  and  his  holy  community,  comply  with  his  word  and  will, 
and  thus  attain  unto  salvation.  Beware  of  all  innovators  and 
strange  doctrines  not  contained  in  the  word  of  Christ  and  his 
apostles,  nor  conformable  thereunto.  Show  forth,  at  all  times, 
Christ  and  his  word.  If  any  man  introduce  a  doctrine  diftering 
from  that  taught  by  Christ  and  his  word,  let  him  be  excommu- 
nicated. For  other  Foundation  can  no  man  lay  than  that 
is  laid,  which  is  CUBIST  JESUS,  (Gen.  17;  Phil.  1;  3  Thes. 
2;  John  5;  1  Cor.  3,  7,  10,  13;  Rom.  2, 13;  1  Eph.  1,  4,  5;  Prov. 
27;  1  Thes.  5;  3  Tim.  4;  Tit.  3,  3;  Heb.  3;  Acts  11, 14,  30,  37; 
Phil.  1;  Ps.  34,  118;  1  Tim.  3;  1  Pet.  3;  James  3,  3;  Deut.  10; 
Jer.  4;  Phil.  3;  Col.  3,  3,  4;  Jer.  33,  37,  39;  Matt.  33,  34; 
1  John  4;  Gal.  1;  Isa.  38;  Mark.  13.)  He  is  the  precious  corner- 
stone in  Zion,  which  shall  abide  forever.  (Luke  30.)  Hear 
him,  believe  him,  trust  in  him,  follow  him,  hope  and  abide  in 
him,  (Rom.  9,)  press  diligently  after  him,  conforming  your- 
selves unto  his  spirit,  word  and  life,  and  you  shall  neither  de- 
ceive nor  be  deceived.  (1  Pet.  3;  Deut.  18;  Matt.  17;  3  Chron. 
20;  Eccl.  2;  Matt.  10;  Mark  8;  Luke  9,  14.)  My  dearly  belov- 
ed brethren  in  the  Lord,  I  beseech  and  admonish  you,  neglect 
not  the  ministration  of  your  brotherly  love,  but  attend  faith- 
fully thereto.  Take  heed  unto  yourselves  and  to  all  the  flock 
over  which  the  Holy  Ghost  has  made  you  overseers,  to  feed  the 
church  of  God  which  he  hath  purchased  with  his  own  blood. 
(John  10;  Ps.  37;  Eccl.;3;  Rom.  13;  1  Eph.  1,  4;  1  Pet.  1;  Heb.  9, 


414  EDUCATION  OF   CHILDREN. 

13;  Col.  1;  1  Pet.  1;  Rev.  5.)  Again,  all  the  elders  I  exhort 
with  Peter,  who  was  also  an  elder:  Feed  the  flock  of  God  which 
is  among  you,  taking  the  oversight  thereof,  not  by  constraint, 
but  willingly.  (1  Pet.  5. )  You  who  teach  obedience,  be  your- 
selves obedient  to  the  church  of  Christ  in  all  things,  which  are 
good  and  expedient,  as  examples  to  the  flock.  (Tit.  2.)  As 
Paul  directed  Titus,  saying:  In  all  things  show  thyself  a  pat- 
tern of  good  works;  in  doctrine,  showing  un corruptness,  grav- 
ity, sincerity,  sound  speech  that  cannot  be  condemned;  that  he 
xhat  is  of  the  contrary  part  may  be  ashamed,  having  no  evil 
thing  to  say  of  you.  Also  watch  thou  in  all  things,  endure 
affliction,  do  the  work  of  an  evangelist.  (2  Tim.  4.)  Make  full 
proof  of  your  ministry,  do  all  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord  faithfully, 
and  with  obedient  and  perfect  hearts,  (2  Chron.  19,)  for  you 
are  made  keei^ers  of  the  charge  of  the  house,  for  all  the  service 
thereof,  and  for  all  that  shall  be  done  therein.  (Ezek.  44.) 
Study,  therefore,  to  show  yourselves  approved  unto  God,  work- 
men, obedient,  blameless,  that  need  not  be  ashamed,  rightly 
dividing  the  word  of  truth.  (2  Tim.  2;  Tit.  3.)  My  wish  and 
desire  therefore  is,  that  you  be  earnest  in  this,  so  that  they  who- 
believe  in  God  may  be  made  zealous  to  excel  in  good  works, 
which  is  good  and  profitable  unto  all  men,  (2  Tim.  4;)  in- 
struct, reprove,  rebuke,  exhort  and  console,  as  occasion  may 
require;  and  forsake  not  the  fraternal  assembling  of  yourselves 
together,  the  meeting  and  ordinance  of  the  Lord.  (Heb.  10.) 
Strengthen  one  another  kindly  with  the  word  of  the  Lord,  that 
you  may  increase  in  faith,  love  and  righteousness,  and  come 
unto  a  perfect  man,  unto  the  measure  of  the  stature  of  the  ful- 
ness of  Christ.     (Col.  1;  Eph.  4.) 

With  this,  dear  brethren,  I  will  commit  you  to  almighty  God, 
with  the  earnest  desire  that  you  propound  unto  all  the  brethren 
this  brief  admonition  concerning  the  Education  of  children,  in 
order  that  every  one  may  observe  and  comply  with  the  same  in 
the  full  sense,  in  the  bringing  up,  teaching  and  instructing  his 
children.  The  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  with  my  beloved,  yea, 
dearly  beloved  brethren  throughout  eternity.     Amen. 


ON  THE  EDUCATION  OF  CHILDEEN. 

Unto  all  elders  and  joint-heirs  in  the  faith  of  Christ,  grace 
be  to  you  and  peace  from  God,  our  heavenly  Father,  through 
liis  beloved  Son,  Christ  Jesus,  our  Lord  and  Saviour,  (Rom.  1 ; 


EDUCATION  OP  CHILDREN.  415 

1  Cor.  1;  2  Cor.  1;  Gal.  19;  Col.  1;  1  Thes.  1;  2  Tlies.  1;  1  Tim. 
1;  2  Tim.  1;  1  Pet.  1,)  by  the  power  and  co-operation  of  His 
Holy  Spirit,  to  his  everlasting  praise  and  glory,  and  to  our  edi- 
tication  and  salvation.     Amen. 

Yon  are  aware,  beloved  brethren  and  sisters  in  Christ  Jesus, 
that  we  all,  without  exception,  inherit  from  Adam  an  ill-dis- 
posed, evil  and  sinful  flesh;  (Gen.  G,  8;  Job.  29;  Ps.  51,)  nay, 
that  all  our  desires  from  our  youth  are  evil  continually, 
as  Moses  writes;  also,  we  lind  nothing  in  ourselves,  as  the 
proper  treasure  of  our  first  birth,  but  perfect  blindness,  un- 
righteousness, sin  and  death.  If  now  the  power  of  this  innate 
disposition  is  to  be  diminished,  suppressed  and  destroyed,  it  must 
be  accomplished  by  the  pure  fear  of  the  Lord,  which  proceeds 
from  a  true  faith  through  the  word  of  the  Lord,  and  out  of  a 
clear  perception  of  the  righteous  judgment  and  terrible  wrath 
of  God,  which  will  burn  forever  against  all  imj^enitent  sinners. 
For  the  fear  of  the  Lord  is  the  beginning  of  wisdom  :  it  drives 
out  sin  and  makes  upright,  pious  children,  as  Jesus  Sirach 
says.  (Job  28;  Ps.  Ill;  Prov.  1,  9,  19;  Eccl.  1;  Sirach  12.) 

Since,  then,  the  merciful  Father  of  our  Jjord  Jesus  Christ, 
the  great  almighty  Lord,  has  encompassed  us  with  the  light  of 
liis  grace,  and  through  faith  in  Jesus  Christ,  has  awakened  us 
from  iniquity  and  ungodliness  to  a  life  of  righteousness,  there- 
fore, let  us  diligently  follow  the  glorious  example  of  the  true 
love  of  Matthew,  the  publican,  who  was  not  satisfied  with  en- 
joying the  heavenly  calling  and  grace  himself,  but  went  and 
invited  other  publicans  and  sinners,  that  they  might  also  be 
saved  and  obtain  like  spirit,  grace  and  mercy  from  the  Lord, 
for  such  is  the  nature  and  disposition  of  Christ.  (Matt  9;  Mark 
2;  Luke  5,  19.; 

Trade,  therefore,  among  yourselves  with  the  talent  (Matt. 
25:  Mark  13;  Luke  19,)  given  you  from  on  high,  and  cordially 
compassionate  your  unbelieving,  blind  parents,  brothers  anil 
sisters,  husbands,  wives,  servants  and  neighbors;  do  not  conceal 
from  them  God's  gift,  grace,  word  and  will;  (2  Tim.  2;)  for 
their  feet  are  in  the  way  of  death.  Perhaps  they  may  at  some 
time  or  other,  extricate  themselves  from  the  snares  of  unright- 
eousness in  which  they  are  bound  and  entangled,  and  turn 
themselves  to  the  Lord  with  all  their  hearts.  (2  Chron.  20; 
Mat.  11,  18;  Luke  20.  J)  My  dear  brethren,  understand  this  as 
regards  men  of  sense  and  discretion.  Brethren  in  Christ,  if  we 
saw  any  such  in  danger  of  being  drowned  or  burned,  or  in  anj' 
danger  that  threatened  his  life,  and  there  was  a  prospect  that 
we  could  render  them  assistance,  would  not  our  inmost  souls  be 
moved  with  compassion  towards  them,  if  haply  we  might  af- 
ford them  relief?  Undoubtedly.  And  now  we  see  with  our  own 
eyes,  (if  we  but  believe  the  Lord's  wor,)  that  they  are  walking 


416  EDUCATION  OF   CHILDREN. 

in  the  shadow  of  eternal  death,  ah-eady  committed  to  the  grave 
of  hell,  and  liable  to  be  devoured  forever  and  ever  by  the 
eternal,  unquenchable  fire,  unless  from  their  hearts  they  turn 
unto  Christ  and  his  word,  repent,  and  become  regenerated,  as 
the  scriptures  teach.  (2  Chron.  30;  Mat.  8,  11;  Luke  10;  Matt. 
3;  Mark  1.)  Therefore,  consider  seriously  the  heartrending 
misery  and  wretchedness  of  their  poor  souls  which  must  live 
forever,  either  in  heaven  or  in  hell,  and  strive  diligently  and 
faithfully  whether  they  may  not  yet,  in  some  way,  by  your 
faithful  ministry  of  pure  love,  and  by  the  direction  and  instruc- 
tion of  the  divine  word,  be  rescued  and  delivered  from  ever- 
lasting destruction,  and  be'made  partakers  of  eternal  salvation. 
(Acts  2;  John  3;  Rom.  6;  Eph.  4;  Col.  3;  Heb.  12;  1  Pet.  2; 
Rom.  12.)  For  genuine  charity  is  of  such  a  nature  that  it  is 
constantly  hungering  and  thirsting  after  the  glory  of  God  and 
the  salvation  of  all  men,  even  of  those  who  are  strangers  to  us 
according  to  the  flesh. 

Beloved  brethren  and  sisters  in  Christ  Jesus,  forasmuch  as 
we  are  now  constrained  by  saving  charity  with  benevolence 
and  sympathy,  and  know  by  the  unction  of  the  spirit  and  word 
of  God,  that  the  nature  of  man  is  completely  corrupted  in  Adam, 
and  is  opposed  from  youth  to  the  word  of  the  Lord,  (1  John  2; 
Gen.  6,  8;  John  25;  Ps.  51,)  as  aforesaid;  let  us,  therefore,  be 
particularly  vigilant  and  solicitous  with  regard  to  our  own 
children,  displaying  unto  them  a  greater  degree  of  spiritual  love 
than  towards  others;  for  they  are  the  oft  spring  of  our  nature, 
of  our  flesh  and  blood,  a  serious  and  precious  charge  committed 
by  God  to  our  especial  care.  Be,  therefore,  particularly  mindful, 
that  you  instruct  them  from  their  youth  in  the  way  of  the  Lord, 
that  they  fear  and  love  God, walk  in  all  modesty  and  submission; 
be  genteel,  well  disposed,  discreet,  honor  and  obey  their  father 
and  mother,  using  reasonable  discourse,  not  lying,  nor  clamo- 
rous, not  stubborn  nor  self-willed;  for  such  is  not  becoming  the 
children  of  the  saints.  (Deut.  6,  16;  Ex.  20;  Eccl.  3,  7;  Tob. 
4;  Eph.  6.)  The  world  desire  for  their  children  that  which  is 
earthly  and  perishable,  money,  honor,  fame,  wealth.  From 
infancy  they  train  them  up  to  vice,  pride,  haughtiness  and 
idolatry.  But  with  you,  who  are  born  of  God,  this  is  not  the 
case;  f  John  1,  3;)  for  it  behooves  you  to  seek  something  else  for 
your  children;  namely,  that  which  is  heavenly  and  eternal,  and 
hence  it  is  your  duty  to  bring  them  up  in  the  nurture  and  admo- 
nition of  the  Lord,  as  Paul  teaches.  (Eph.  6.)  Moses  com- 
manded Israel  to  teach  their  children  the  law  and  command- 
ments of  the  Lord,  to  talk  of  them  when  they  sat  down  in  their 
houses,  and  when  they  walked  by  the  way,  and  when  they  lay 
down,  and  when  they  rose  up.  Now,  since  we  are  a  chosen 
generation,  a  royal  priesthood,  a  holy  nation,  a  peculiar  people, 


EDUCATION  OF  CHILDREX.  417 

we  should  show  forth  the  praises  of  him  who  hath  called 
us  out  of  darkness  into  his  marvellous  light,  (Exod.  19;  1  Pet. 
2;  Rev.  1,  5;  Deut.  7;)  it  greatly  behooves  us  to  show  ourselves 
patterns  and  examples  (Isa,  4,  3;  1  Pet.  2)  in  all  righteousness 
and  blamelessness.  and  to  appear  unto  the  whole  world  as  we 
are  thereunto  called ;  for  if  we  do  not  keep  a  strict  eye  upon 
our  own  children,  but  permit  them  to  follow  the  inclination  of 
their  evil,  corrupted  nature  and  disposition,  not  correcting  and 
chastising  them  according  to  the  word  of  the  Lord,  we  may  with 
the  greatest  propriety  lay  our  hand  upon  our  mouth,  and  remain 
silent  and  speechless.  (Rom.  12;  1  Thes.  4;  1  Pet.  1,  5;  1  Tim. 
4;  Tit.  2;  Eccl.  7;  Prov.  13.)  For  why  should  we  teach  those 
not  of  our  household,  when  we  take  no  pains  to  pi-eserve  our 
own  families  in  the  love  and  fear  of  God?  For,  says  Paul,  (1 
Tim.  3,  5)  if  a  man  provide  not  for  his  own  house,  he  hath 
denied  the  faith  and  is  worse  than  an  infidel. 

My  dearly  beloved  brethren  and  sisters  in  Christ  Jesus,  take 
heed  that  you  do  not  ruin  your  children  through  carnal  love,  by 
giving  offence,  and  training  them  up  in  vice,  lest  in  the  day  of 
judgment  their  souls  be  required  at  your  hands,  and  it  happen 
unto  you,  on  account  of  your  children,  as  it  did  unto  Eli,  the 
high  priest,  by  the  chastening  hand  of  the  Almighty,  on  account 
of  his  sons;  (1  Sam.  4;)  but  diligently  imitate  the  testimony 
declared  by  the  angel  of  the  Lord  respecting  pious  Abraham:  I 
know,  says  he,  that  Abraham  will  command  his  children  and  his 
household  after  him,  and  they  shall  keep  the  way  of  the  Lord,  to 
do  justice  and  judgment.  CGen.  18.)  For  this  is  the  chief  and 
most  important  care  of  the  godly  that  their  children  may  fear 
God,  do  good,  and  be  saved;  even  as  the  God-fearing  Tobias 
admonished  his  son's  children,  saying:  My  son,  hearken  unto 
thy  father,  serve  the  Lord  in  truth,  and  cleave  unto  him  in 
equity;  be  mindful  of  him,  and  let  not  thy  will  be  set  to  sin  or 
to  transgress  his  commandments;  teach  this  to  thy  children  that 
they  give  alms,  fear  God  all  their  days,  and  trust  in  him  with 
their  whole  hearts.  (Deut.  6;  Josh.  24;  1  Sam.  7;  Tob.  14,  4;  2 
Chron.  20;  Sirach  2.) 

My  beloved  brethren  and  sisters  in  Christ,  who,  from  your 
hearts,  love  the  word  of  the  Lord,  thus  instruct  your  children 
from  youth  up,  and  daily  admonish  them  with  the  word  of  the 
Lord,  setting  a  good  exami)le.  (Eph.  6.)  Teach  and  admonish 
them,  I  say,  in  proportion  to  the  development  of  their  under- 
standing; constrain  and  correct  them  with  discretion  and  mod- 
eration, without  anger  or  bitterness,  (Col.  3,)  lest  they  be  dis- 
couraged; spare  not  the  rod,  if  reason  and  necessity  require  it, 
reflecting  upon  what  is  written.  (Prov.  13,  19,  23,  29.)  He  that 
loveth  his  son  causeth  him  oft  to  feel  the  rod  that  he  may  have 
joy  of  him  in  the  end.     He  that  chastiseth  his  son  shall  have 


418  EDUCATION  OF  CHILDREN. 

joy  ill  him.  (Sirach  7,  30.)  He  that  maketh  too  much  of  his 
sou  shall  bind  up  his  wounds,  and  his  bowels  will  be  troubled 
at  every  cry.  A  horse  unbroken  becometh  headstrong,  and  a 
child  left  to  himself  will  be  wilful.  Give  him  no  liberty  in  his 
youth,  and  wink  not  at  his  follies.  Bow  down  his  neck  while 
he  is  young,  (observe,)  lest  he  wax  stubborn,  and  be  disobedi- 
ent to  thee,  and  so  bring  sorrow  to  thine  heart.  (Heb.  12;  Deut. 
6;  Prov.  29;  Sirach  30.)  Correct  thy  son,  and  keep  him  from 
idleness,  lest  thou  be  made  ashamed  on  his  account.  (Sirach 
22;  Prov.  29.) 

Dearly  beloved  brethren  and  sisters  in  the  Lord,  if  all  parents, 
(who  glory  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,)  would  deeply  impress  the 
words  of  Sirach  upon  their  hearts,  and  inscribe  them  on  the 
tablet  of  their  souls,  O  how  virtuous,  pious  and  devout  would 
many  children  be  raised,  who  now,  alas  !  run  wild  and  unre- 
strained, honoring  neither  their  parents  nor  the  community 
and  gospel  of  Christ.  An  evil-nurtured  son,  (says  Sirach,  chap. 
22,)  is  the  dishonor  of  his  father;  again,  says  he:  (chap.  16,) 
Rejoice  not  that  thou  hast  a  multitude  of  children,  except  the 
fear  of  God  be  with  them;  for  one  that  is  just  is  better  than  a 
thousand  ungodly;  and  better  it  is  to  die  without  children,  than 
to  have  them  that  are  ungodly.     (Sir.  16.) 

Beloved  brethren,  consider  these  words  well,  and  revolve 
them  in  your  minds.  Necessity  impels  me  to  write;  for  some, 
alas  !  live  such  lives  with  their  children,  that  one  is  constrained 
to  write  and  reprove.  I  write  and  admonish  you  again:  Take 
heed,  lest  the  blood  and  condeiiination  of  your  children  come 
upon  you.  If  you  love  your  children  Avitli  a  godly  love,  teach 
them,  admonish  and  instruct  them  in  God,  (Prov.  13,  29;  Eccl. 
80,)  lest  the  Lord's  word,  blood  and  death  be  made  unto  them 
of  no  efiect,  and  his  name  and  comnKinity  be  blasphemed  by  the 
unwise,  through  them.     (Rom.  2.) 

Beloved  brethren  in  Christ,  if  you  rightly  know  God  and  his 
word,  and  believe  that  the  end  of  the  righteous  is  everlasting 
life,  and  the  end  of  the  wicked  eternal  death,  endeavor  to  the 
utmost  of  your  power,  to  conduct  your  children  in  the  way  of 
life,  and  divert  them  from  the  way  of  death,  as  far  as  in  you  lies. 
Pray  almighty  God  for  the  gift  of  his  grace,  that  in  his  great 
mercy, he  may  guide  and  preserve  them  in  the  right  path,  through 
the  directing  intiuence  of  his  Holy  Spirit.  Watch  over  their 
salvation  as  for  your  own  souls.  Teach,  instruct,  admonish, 
threaten,  correct  and  chastise  them,  as  circumstances  require. 
Keep  them  away  from  naughty,  wicked  children,  among  whom 
they  hear  and  learn  nothing  but  lying,  cursing,  swearing,  fight- 
ing and  knavery.  Have  them  instructed  in  reading  and  writing, 
bring  them  up  to  habits  of  industry,  and  let  them  learn  such, 
trades  as  are  suitable,  expedient  and  adapted  to  their  age  and 


EDUCATION  OF   CHILDREN.  419 

coustitution.  If  you  do  this,  you  shall  live  to  see  much  honor 
and  joy  of  your  children.  (Sirach  30.)  But  if  you  do  it  not, 
heaviness  of  heart  shall  consume  you  at  last.  (Jer.  22.)  For  a 
child  left  to  himself,  without  reproof,  is  not  only  the 
shame  of  his  father,  but  he  bringeth  his  mother  to  shame. 
(Prov.  29.) 

This  brief  admonition  I  have  written  to  my  beloved,  from 
motives  of  sincere  love,  and  not  without  a  reason ;  for  in  the 
course  of  my  ministry,  I  have  too  frequently  observed,  how  dis- 
orderly, improperly,  nay,  heathenlike,  many  parents  conduct 
themselves  towards  their  children.  The  absurd,  senseless  love 
of  the  flesh,  has  such  an  influence  over  some,  and  they  are  so 
blinded  by  the  natural  affection  for  their  children,  (O  observe,) 
that  they  can  neither  see,  perceive  nor  observe  any  evil,  error  or 
defect  in  them,  notwithstanding  they  frequently  abound  in  idle 
tricks  and  wantonness,  are  disobedient  to  father  and  mother, 
murmur  at  them,  collect  and  carry  abroad  lies,  quarrel  and 
flght  with  other  children,  and  mock  people  as  they  pass  by, 
crying  and  calling  after  them. 

Brethren  in  Christ,  to  connive,  by  reason  of  a  blind,  carnal 
love,  at  these  and  similar  disgraceful  tricks  of  children,  is  a  love 
not  to  be  applauded,  but  much  rather  to  be  shunned  and 
avoided ;  for  it  is  earthly,  sensual,  devilish.  And  forasmuch,  as 
w^e  ought  to  be  the  salt  of  the  earth,  the  light  of  the  world,  the 
holy  nation,  the  chosen  generation,  yea  the  bride  of  Christ,  it 
by  no  means  becomes  us,  to  have,  or  to  bear  such  sensual  love 
or  preposterous  affection,  in  any  circumstances,  towards  our 
children;  but  it  is  our  duty,  as  far  as  in  us  lies,  diligently  and 
earnestly  to  instruct  and  govern  our  children  and  household,  as 
well  as  ourselves,  in  conformity  to  the  sincerity  of  godliness,  a 
life  of  virtue,  and  the  word  of  God.  (Matt.  5;  Mark  9;  Luke 
14;  Prov.  4;  Wis.  2;  Mark  4;  Luke  8;  Phil.  2;  1  Pet.  2;  Deut.  7; 
Exod.  19;  2  Cor.  11;  Eph.  5;  Rev.  19,  28;  Acts  20.) 

With  this,  I  will  have  delivered  and  preserved  my  soul  in  the 
presence  of  the  Lord  and  his  community,  and  I  do  desire,  for 
the  Lord's  sake,  that  this  epistle  may  be  taken  in  good  part,  and 
be  read  by  the  elders,  in  the  hearing  of  all  the  brethren,  to  the 
end  that  the  innocent  may  take  heed,  and  be  circumspect,  and 
those  who  are  guilty  of  these  mis-steps,  errors  and  failings,  may 
reform,  and  that  without  considering  me  as  being  officious,  in 
regulating  the  concerns  of  their  household.  Ah,  no!  in  the  pre- 
sence of  God,  I  desire  nothing  in  this,  but  that  in  all  things,  you 
conform  yourselves  to  the  scriptures,  and  to  Christian  gravity, 
and  that  all  the  concerns  of  the  Lord's  community,  may  be  con- 
ducted according  to  the  divine  will  and  ordinance.  (1  Cor.  14.) 
The  searcher  of  hearts  and  reins  knows  that  I  lie  not.  I  would, 
therefore,  that  you  also  accept  and  receive  it  in  love;  for  in 


420  APPENDIX. 

sincerity  have  I  written  it.  (1  Sam.  16;  1  Cliron.  29;  Ps.  7; 
Jer.  17;  Acts.  1;  Rev.  2.) 

And  now,  beloved  brethren  and  sisters,  I  commend  you  to 
God,  and  to  the  word  of  his  grace,  which  is  able  to  build  you 
up,  and  to  give  you  an  inheritance  among  all  them  which  are 
sanctified.     (Acts  20.) 

The  very  God  of  peace  sanctify  you  wholly,  that  your  whole 
spirit,  and  soul,  and  body  be  preserved  without  spot,  and  blame- 
less, luito  the  coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  (1  Thess.  5.) 
Faithful  is  he  who  called  you.  May  the  merciful  Father,  through 
his  beloved  Son,  Jesus  Christ,  our  Lord,  sti'engthen  you  all  with 
the  precious  gift  of  his  Holy  Spirit.     Amen. 


LETTER     TO     THE     BRETHREN    IN 
AMSTERDAM. 

Jesus  said  to  Martha  :  1  am  the  resurrection^  and  the  life;  he 
that  believeth  in  me,  though  he  were  dead,  yet  shall  he  live  ;  and 
whosoever  liveth  and  believeth  in  me  shall  never  die.  John  xi.  25,  26. 

Chosen  Brethren  and  Sisters  in  the  Lord  :  Since  I  hear 
that  the  fire  of  the  pestilence  is  spreading  itself  among  you,  I 
am  constrained  by  love,  which  I  bear  towards  you  and  all  the 
pious  (because  I  know  that  all  flesh  is  afraid  of  death,  and  the 
death  of  our  friends  is  grievous  to  us)  to  visit  you  with  a  letter 
of  consolation,  who  are  encompassed  by  the  heavenly  light,  and 
are  called  to  the  communion  of  Christ ;  so  that  you  might  watch 
now,  and  at  all  times,  for  the  coming  of  the  Lord;  prepare 
yourselves  in  all  things  to  meet  death.  For  Paul  says  :  It  is 
appointed  unto  men  once  to  die,  hut  after  this  judgment.  (Heb. 
ix.  27.)  And  Sirach  says  :  All  flesh  waxeth  old  as  a  garment, 
for  the  covenant  from  the  beginning  is :  Thou  shalt  die. 
(Sirach  xiv.  17.) 

If  we  then  adhere  closely  to  Christ  with  a  regenerated  and 
penitent  soul ;  and  truly  believe  his  word,  and  faithfully  follow 
his  footsteps ;  and  are  governed  by  his  Holy  Ghost,  then 
shall  we  live  in,  with  and  through  him  eternally  ;  and  ice 
shallnotbe  hurt  of  the  second  death.  (Rev.  ii.  11.)  Though  we 
were,  in  times  past  even  as  others,  dead  in  sin,  full  of  avarice,  un- 
chastity,  pride,  hatred,  envy,  idolatry  and  all  manner  of  wicked- 
ness, children  of  hell  and  of  the  devil.  (Eph.  ii.  3,  12.)  For  all 
things  are  forgiven  to  the  penitent  and  believing  through  the 
death  of  Christ,  and  satisfied  with  his  blood,  and  reconciled  by 


APPENDIX.  421 

the  only  peace-ofifering  of  his  innocent  and  painful  death.  So 
that  Paul  says:  There  is  therefore  now  no  eondemnation  to  them 
which  are  in  Christ  Jesus,  who  walk  not  after  the  flesh,  hut  after 
the  spirit;  for  the  law  of  the  spirit  of  life  in  Christ  Jesus  hath 
made  me  free  from  the  law  of  sin  and  death.  (Rom.  viii.  1,  2.) 
Therefore,  be  of  good  cheer,  and  be  grateful;  praise  Him  who 
has  redeemed  you  by  the  power  of  his  word,  from  the  dominion 
of  sin  and  death;  and  called  you  through  the  spirit  of  his  grace 
to  the  inheritance  of  his  glory.  Again,  I  say,  laud  him,  and 
that  with  a  pious  and  pure  conscience,  with  an  unblamable  and 
holy  life  by  faith,  so  that  when  the  true  householder,  the 
king  and  bridegroom  of  our  souls  comes,  he  may  not  find 
you  sleeping,  and  cast  you  unprepared  into  eternal  darkness, 
close  the  door  upon  you  and  give  you  a  portion  with  the  Gen- 
tiles. Therefore:  Be  sober,  he  vigilant!  (1  Pet.  v.  8.)  Walk  while 
you  have  the  lights  lest  darkness  come  upon  you.    (John  xii.  25.) 

Faithful  brethren !  be  strong  in  the  Lord,  be  of  good  cheer, 
for  all  your  doings,  life  and  death,  are  in  the  hands  of  the  Lord, 
Yea,  the  hairs  of  your  head  are  all  numbered.  (Matt.  x.  30.) 
And  without  his  will,  not  one  can  fall  from  your  head.  The 
number  of  your  days  are  before  him;  yea,  the  time  of  your  life 
is  measured  as  to  a  hand-breadth.  Therefore,  fear  not;  but 
willingly  assist  and  serve  each  other  in  time  of  distress.  Be 
not  slow  to  visit  the  sick;  for  that  shall  make  you  beloved,  as 
Sirach  says.  (Sir.  vii.  35.)  And  you  ought  out  of  unfeigned 
love,  as  John  says:  To  lay  down  your  lives  for  the  brethren. 
(1  Johniii.  16.) 

For  this  you  know,  that  a  virtuous  son,  servant,  or  bride, 
fears  not  the  coming  of  the  father,  lord  or  bridegroom,  but  that 
there  is  nothing  but  desire  and  hope,  as  long  as  they  have  not 
yet  arrived.  For  John  says:  There  is  no  fear  in  love;  hut  per- 
fect lovecasteth  oiit  fear.     (1  John  iv.  18.) 

You  also  know,  that  a  wearied  laborer  is  desirous  of  rest, 
and  a  drooping  soul  of  consolation.  And  I  doubt  not,  nor  you, 
my  dear  children,  that  you  are  assured  of  a  quiet  conscience  in 
God,  that  he  is  your  Father;  and  that  Jesus  Christ  is  your 
Lord,  and  you  are  his  servants;  that  he  is  your  bridegroom,  and 
you  his  spouse.  Why  you  must  endure  so  much  misery,  toil, 
anguish  of  mind,  shame  and  disgrace,  from  a  perverse,  idle 
generation,  for  his  blessed  and  holy  name's  sake — whom  you 
ought  to  make  known  to  the  whole  world,  without  hypocrisy, 
in  order  that  they  may  turn  to  God  as  true  penitents. 

Therefore,  we  must  not  fear  death  so  greatly,  which  is  but  a 
rest  from  sin,  an  entrance  to  a  better  life;  nor  must  we  be 
grieved  so  much  on  account  of  our  friends,  who  fell  asleep  in 
the  Lord;  as  those  who  do  not  expect  the  reward  of  the  saints. 

But,  let  us,  therefore,  lift  our  heads  with  joy,  gird  the  loins 


423*  *    APPENDIX. 

of  our  minds  with  truth,  and  prepare  for  the  heavenly  Canaan, 
that  we  may  inherit  the  only  and  eternal  Joshua,  Christ  Jesus, 
the  inheritance  and  kingdom,  which  are  appointed  to  us;  and 
thus  be  released  from  the  arduous  and  tedious  way  of  our  pil- 
grimage, which  we  have  to  make  through  this  untrodden  wil- 
derness.    Then  we  shall  rest  in  eternal  joys. 

O  chosen  brethren  and  sisters  !  How  highly  and  gloriously 
they  are  endowed  of  God,  who  are  here,  through  grace,  freed 
from  the  body  of  sin,  redeemed  from  the  vanity  of  perishable 
things,  received  into  the  holy  tabernacles  of  peace,  called  to 
the  eternal,  great  and  holy  sabbath  !  There  the  crooked,  old 
serpent  will  no  more  sting  them  in  their  heels,  neither  pain  nor 
misery  shall  touch  them;  and  the  last  enemy,  death,  shall  be 
overcome  and  swallowed  up.  Then  their  tears  will  be  wiped 
off,  and  their  souls  will  enjoy  a  true  rest  and  peace,  in  Paradise 
and  the  pleasure  garden  of  grace,  in  Abraham's  bosom,  under 
the  altar  of  God.  (Rev.  vi.  9.)  They  came  out  of  great 
tribulations,  they  stand  upon  Mount  Sion,  in  white  robes,  wor- 
shipping before  the  throne  of  GOD  and  the  LAMB;  and  rest 
for  a  little  season,  till  the  number  of  their  fellow-sen^ants  be 
fulfilled.  (Rev.  vi.  11.)  And  then  be  together  changed  into 
the  gloiy  of  Christ,  (Phil.  iii.  31,)  to  shine  as  the  sun.  (Matt, 
xiii.  43.)  And  thus  come  to  the  eternal  festivity,  the  eternal 
joys,  prepared  for  all  the  chosen  in  heaven  through  Christ's 
blood  and  death. 

O  !  how  holy  and  happy  are  they  who  are  called  of  Christ  to 
his  holy  day,  and  come  to  it  dressed  in  clean  garments?  Come, 
singthe  pleasing  and  joyful  hallelujah,  in  your  hearts,  and  thank 
him,  who  has  ordered  all  this  toward  them,  by  the  spirit  of  his 
love,  through  grace,  and  has  chosen  you  with  them  to  the  same. 
Reflect  upon  this,  and  be  comforted. 

Nothing  more;  but  fear  your  God,  with  all  your  hearts;  serve 
him  in  truth  ;  maintain  union,  love  and  peace  among  you  ; 
watch  and  pray,  be  patient  in  your  conflicts;  seek  that  which 
is  best;  follow  after  that  which  is  good;  be  friendly  towards 
one  another;  willingly  obey  your  teachers,  and  remember  them 
and  me  in  your  prayers.  May  the  God  of  peace,  our  merciful 
Father,  through  his  blessed  Son,  Jesus  Christ,  bless  you  now 
and  forever,  to  abound  more  in  righteousness  and  perfect  love. 

MENNO  SIMON, 
Your  felloio  brother  and  lover  of  your  souls  in  truth. 

For  other  found atisn  can  no  man  lay  than  that  is 
LAID,  WHICH  18  JESUS  CHRIST.— Cor.  iii.  11. 


INDEX. 


Adults  only  to  be  Baptised 4v) 

Admonition  to  the  Scorners  of  the  Word ,  &c 57 

Appeal  to  the  Learned 13t> 

•'       to  the  Common  People 14;> 

"       to  Corrupt  Sects W> 

"       to  the  Bride  and  Kinerdom 15:> 

Baptism,  Concerning, 37 

"  not  commanded  to  Infants 37 

♦'  called  washing  of  regeneration 40 

"  changed  as  to  mode  and  time 53 

"  is  a  sign  ol  Obedience 43 

"  is  to  follow  Faith 38 

Belief,  true  Christian,  of, 176 

"       Papistic,  of, 172 

"       Lutheran,  of, 173 

''       Z winglian  or  Calvinist, 175 

Believers  receive  the  Word 31 

Ceremonies,  no  great  stress  to  put  on 59 

Consoling  admonition 275 

Conduct  of  Preachers 93 

Counter  arguments 48,  IQfi 

Cross  of  Christ 279 

"     the  righteous  have  to  endure  It 28.1 

David  reproved  of  Nathan ; .  394 

"       his  Sins  no  plea  to  pervert  the  truth 39.i 

Day  of  Grace 23 

Education  of  Children 414 

Evidence  of  a  good  Conscience 265 

Excommunication 367 

"  what  it  means 375,  41D 

"  over  whom  to  be  used 37« 

*'  why  commanded  In  Scriptures 377/ 

"  has  no  respect  to  person 37^» 

"  to  exclude  offensive  sinners 384 

"  how  to  understand  James  V 397 

"  how  to  understand  XII.  and  XIII.  of  2  Corinth;  398 

Excommunicated,  to  be  avoided 384,  388 

Exhortation  to  the  dispersed  Children  of  God 270 

"  to  all  in  authority 117 

False  Teachers  and  Preachers 100 

"  "  "  we  are  not  to  hear  them 101,110 


424  INDEX. 

Faitli, nature  of, 31 

"       fruits  of, 32 

"       Christian,  of, 161 

"       Noah's,  of, 185 

"       Abraham's  of, 188 

'*       Josiah's,  of, 201 

"       Centurion's,  of, 208 

"       Zaccheus's,  of, -. 211 

"       Murderer  of, 216 

"       Sinful  Woman,  of, 223 

Gospel  must  be  preached 102 

Grace,  day  of, 23 

"       invitation  thereto, 24 

Heart  purified  by  Failh 17 

Higinius  institutes  godfathers 46 

Household,  what  it  signifies 56 

Heretic  to  be  once  or  twice  admonished 398 

Impenitent  destitute  of  hope 24 

>Infant  baptism  is  idolatry 45 

"  confirmed  by  Pope  Innocent 46 

"  is  not  Apostolic 44 

"  performed  without  command 52 

"  cannot  be  proven  from  circumcision 52 

Inner  baptism 38 

Josiah's  belief. 201 

"  purifies  Judah  and  Jerusalem 203 

"  expels  Soothsayers 204 

Keys  of  Excommunication,  to  use  in  a  proper  manner 400 

"      for  what  purpose  given 401,  40i 

"      Christ  alone  has  the  key  of  David 405 

Liberty,  true  liberty  is  through  Christ 115 

Lord's  Supper 61 

**  corruption  of, 72 

"  Paul's  explanation  of, 62 

Marry,  whom  the  believers  should  not 235 

Matthew  XVIII,  explained 390 

Menno  Simon's  renunciation  of  Popery 15 

'«  consults  Luther  and  others 16 

"  is  called  by  the  pious  to  preach  for  them 19 

"  entreats  the  reader  to  accept  his  confession 22 

Munsterites  make  inroads 17 

New  Birth,  doctrine  concerning, 255 

Pleasing  meditation  on  the  XXV.  Psalm 327 

Preachers,  sending  of, 82 

"  doctrines  of, 87 

"  conductof, 93 

Peter's  inconsiderate  backsliding 395 

Putting  on  Cln  ist  is  the  same  as  regeneration 52 

Re-baptized  persons • 60 

Regeneration,  result  of  faith 43 

Repentance,  true  and  sincere 26 

.  Resurrection,  Scriptures  speak  of  two 354 

Righteous  live  by  Faith 264 


DATE  DUE 


Mil^i^fa^ 


FttUi^ak 


^^.r?!! 


i 


PRINTED  IN  U.S.A. 


on  Theologicil  Semnwry-Speer  Lit 


1    1012  01002  7805 


